Diminishing women

I am astounded at A festival born on the fringes (March 17), starting: ‘‘As the fat lady sings for one festival, another is still cranking along. One arrives on a pushbike in a yellow fruit-themed dress and pink highlights in her hair. The other is dressed in charcoal and black.’’

We all know the reference to the fat lady – my first encounter with it was in JD Salinger’s Franny and Zooey – but in this context it is so completely inappropriate.

I cannot fathom how it would get across the editor’s desk. The following line implies that this quote is in reference to the incredible directors of both the NZ Festival and the Wellington Fringe Festival.

I am gobsmacked. How can a journalist reconcile himself with living in 2018 and writing such a load of insulting, diminutive crap?

I would love to know more about both these women’s professional journeys, ambitions and thoughts on their artistic contribution to the New Zealand landscape – yes, some serious journalism.

SHONA JAUNAS Paeka¯ka¯riki