Gate-crasher centre stage again

Ipu Laga’aia will always be remembered for gate-crashing Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s gig in November 2019 when the Aotea Centre theatre was renamed in her honour. Her former student brought his own accompaniment back then — a guitar for his Spanish-style song, to which Dame Kiri danced the Flamenco.

Now Laga’aia is part of a line-up of some of Aotearoa’s most accomplished performers: Sophie Morris ( Mamma Mia, Cats, Grease), Rutene Spooner (Modern Maori Quartet), Chris McRae ( Tosca, Don Pasquale, La Boheme) and Laughton Kora (founder and lead singer of Wellington band Kora).

This time the accompaniment is the New Zealand String Quartet, Four Suits and a Soprano, the chamber ensemble who have wowed audiences around the globe. They head on a nationwide tour this month until the end of May.

Laga’aia may always be remembered for his gate-crashing, but now he’ll be creating new musical memories.

Photo / Alex Burton From left to right, Rutene Spooner, Ipu Laga’aia and Chris McRae in rehearsal at the Pitt St Methodist Church. They will be joined on a nationwide tour starting this month by The New Zealand String Quartet .