Last act a chance to fulfil friend’s wish
Varied programme offers something for everyone — what to see at AAF 2017
a nocturnal bushwalk through the Auckland Domain, where critically acclaimed artists, including our own Phil Dadson, create dazzling light and sound installations. Art meets nature as you encounter gramophones that spin, haunting whistles that rise and fall from trees and shimmering flowers that dance to their own tune.
based on the true story of 28,800 bath toys that accidentally ended up flung into the Pacific Ocean, Scotland’s Catherine Wheels theatre company returns to Auckland to uncover the mysteries of the sea.
Cirque Eloize ( pictured) transforms the Civic Theatre into an urban streetscape where 15 performers juggle, spin, skate, bike, balance, contort and fly their way through a jaw- dropping parade of tricks. Should probably come with a “don’t try this at home” warning. Toward the end of his life, New Zealand composer Jack Body’s thoughts were not solely on his battle against cancer. He wanted to ensure the world would get to hear his final composition, Passio.
Now as Carla van Zon prepares to stage her final arts festival, she’s fulfilled her friend’s wish. While Passio was performed in Wellington, thanks to help from a number of local composers van Zon has been able to include it on the Auckland Arts Festival’s 2017 programme.
Van Zon, artistic director of the Auckland Arts Festival since 2011, retires after the 2017 event and says ensuring audiences get to hear Passio was important for her. Featuring 46 brass instrumentalists, it will be performed by Auckland Chamber Orchestra and Voices NZ Chamber Choir and is one of the largest musical events planned for next summer’s festival.
Spectacular as Passio promises to be, it is far from the only large- scale performance or exhibition planned for AAF 2017. Released this week, the programme is packed with great and grand concerts, stage shows, outdoor events and stunning exhibitions.
“I always think about the people of Auckland when I am planning a festival and what we can bring that is new and tempting enough to encourage For a sneak peek of what the Arts Festival has to offer go to
The world’s greatest ballerina comes to Auckland accompanied by Sergei Polunin, dubbed the “James Dean” of the ballet world, for a triple bill choreographed by superstars of the dance world.
The best of former La Clique stars — Miss Behave, Ursula Martinez, Frisky, The English Gents, Mario: Queen of the Circus — perform delicious, them to try something different,” says van Zon, who oversaw the move to an annual festival. “I look for work, both from New Zealand and around the world that reflects this place and all who live here.” Last year, some 166,000 attended an AAF event. Those lucky enough to have a sneak look at the 2017 programme have described it as one of the most accessible ever, combining the contemporary and traditional and offering the chance to see a variety of work.