Beyond the stage: 2024 Festival impacts
The biennial Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts made its much-anticipated return to Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington in early 2024.
Over seventy events, engaging more than five hundred artists and crew, showcased acclaimed international talent, world premieres, and iconic contemporary arts experiences. For 2024, the Festival extended into autumn with Light Cycles by Moment Factory at the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā which was experienced by more than 31,000 people alone. In total, more than 68,000 tickets were issued with an overall attendance of 470,000 including to free events.
Article Magazine
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ration the Queen's veges with Tainui Tukiwaho
ration the Queen’s veges is a new play directed and co-written by Tainui Tukiwaho (Black Ties) and Te Wehi Ratana and performed by Ngahiriwa Rauhina. Based on true events, this uplifting one-man play is inspired by Te Wehi Ratana’s experience spending 48 hours in Rimutaka Prison following the dramatic act of protest in December 2023 that led to the defacing of Te Papa’s Treaty of Waitangi exhibition.
With the play opening at Circa Theatre in August, mere metres away from where it all began, I took the opportunity to catch up with Tainui about the project.
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Sophie Henderson and Curtis Vowell: Workmates
Workmates, the new film from writer/director team Sophie Henderson and Curtis Vowell, will have its World Premiere at the upcoming Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival. Starring Henderson and Matt Whelan, this is a funny, heartfelt comedy romance about best friends, art, ambition, and messy feelings in messy theatres. It’s a love letter to theatre, friendship and the creative community.
I braved a shaky internet connection for a Zoom chat with Sophie and Curtis to talk about theatre, love stories and how you work with your significant other without breaking something.
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Looking back on 40 years with Shelagh Magadza
Shelagh Magadza was the Artistic Director for the 2014, 2016, and 2018 New Zealand Festivals, where she was known for her bold, community-driven programming—producing large-scale opening night events such as The Big Bang, Le Grand Continental® and A Waka Odyssey, and curating artistic works from Aotearoa and around the world. We recently caught up with Shelagh in Perth and talked about her time at the Festival.
