For more information about specific events, please visit the websites listed on each page. Video clips of some shows on the production
company websites will give you a taste of what to expect.
Door Sales: Subject to availability, door sales may be purchased from one hour prior to shows. Venues other than Ticketdirect do not incur booking fees.
Student Rush: Full time students with valid ID can purchase Student Rush tickets for discounted adult prices from 30 minutes prior to selected shows, subject to availability.
All shows presented at SIT Centrestage Theatre, The Civic Theatre and the Scottish Hall incur Ticketdirect booking fees . You can book on-line at www.ticketdirect.co.nz
or at these Ticketdirect outlets:
• Chamber of Commerce, SIT Arcade, Don Street, Invercargill
• ICC Booking Office, 101 Esk Street, Invercargill• ILT Stadium Southland, Isabella Street, Invercargill
Tickets to shows at other venues can be purchased at www.eventfinda.co.nz (booking fees apply)
School group bookings: Please contact Venture Southland, (03) 21 11400.
Join our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/southlandartsfest
We offer ticket giveaways and up-to-date information here. We also present film clip
samples of selected shows.
INSIDERS' GUIDEWe asked our staff what they’re excited about for this year’s festival...
I love a good laugh, so it’s comedy, pages 20 and 21
for Bruce and me.
ANGEEKiwi music is top of my list
with Moana, The Nukes and The Chills promising
to be great nights out.
ALISTAIRI like the look of the more edgy shows like Dunstan Creek Séance and Love
Puke.
MAREE
Apparently the front row gets a poncho in Messy
Magic Adventure so I think the grandkids and I will
have a great time there. I also rate Java Dance who make dance so much fun.
BRONWYNI’m a classics fan, so
Aroha Ensemble and a bit of jazz (The Jac) are must-sees. The big choral work,
Gallipoli to the Somme, will also be inspiring.
JAMESHistorical content always attracts me, so Miss Jean Batten and Anzac Eve are
two I’ll be attending.
HUNTER
Front cover: The Messy Magic Adventure pg.19Empowering the region
4 5
KATHRYN STOTT AND NZSQ
Chamber Music New Zealand presents
Book at Ticketdirect Booking fees apply.
Generation You (18-35) Tickets will only cost
your age
Internationally famous pianist Kathryn Stott will join the New Zealand String Quartet for a programme of solo and chamber music. In Kathryn’s partnerships with NZSQ, the uncompromising emotional strength of Franck’s Quintet, contrast with New Zealand works by John Psathas and Gillian Whitehead.
This is a rare opportunity to hear these ravishing works performed by five chamber musicians of exceptional ability.
Wed 10 May 7:30pm Dur: 1h40m
Civic Theatre
$45/$38/$10
MY NAME IS MOANAArts on Tour NZ presents
Acclaimed singer/songwriter, Moana Maniapoto invites you to an intimate, lively and entertaining tribute to the ocean.
An Art Laureate, Moana competed with 11,000 others to win the Grand Jury Prize of the International Songwriting Contest.
She is joined by Paddy Free on keyboards/vocals, Karlos Tunks Saunders on guitar/vocals and Trina Maniapoto on ukulele/ vocals.
Their music, so interwoven with NZ identity, has taken them from garage parties in South Auckland to exotic stages right around the world.
Sublime singing and captivating storytelling will draw you in, encourage you to think, feel, laugh, sing along and probably even dance.
[Kathryn] plays wonderfully, allowing her music, fluidity and space; her
virtuoso outpourings are formidable.The Daily Telegraph
Thu 20 April 8:00pm
Stewart Island Community Centre
Fri 21 April 8:00pm
SIT Centrestage Theatre
Book at Ticketdirect Booking fees apply.
$25/$15
www.chambermusic.co.nz/kathrynstott facebook.com/ChamberMusicNZ
Dur: 1h40m
(Toi Rakiura)
Supported by the SDC Creative NZ Communities Scheme
Door sales 30m prior
$25 ($20)
6 7
THE NUKES
The Nukes blew the audience’s socks off with the combination of humour, fantastic song-writing, great musicianship and singing
Megan peacock-coyle. oaMaru opera house
Sun 30 April Concert
4:00pm Dur: 1h30m SIT Centrestage
Theatre, Invercargill
Kate's Mates' Rates presents
4
Sun 30 April Ukulele workshop
2:00pm Dur: 1h SIT Centrestage
Theatre, Invercargill
Part vaudeville, part rat-pack, part musical car crash, this talented trio deliver humour and originality in equal measure. Great song writing, three-part harmony
and blistering riffs create a riveting audience experience.
Coaxing a fine blend of folk, bluegrass, reggae and post punk out of their innocent little ukuleles, Dave Parker, David ‘Snapper’ Thiele and Ben Collier love to share their
quirky brand of musical brilliance.
Bring along your ukulele for a free pre-performance workshop filled with fun, tips and techniques! You might even join the band on stage!
KA
TE'S MATES' R
ATES
Cost: a “Kate Sheppard” ($10) donation
THE AROHA ENSEMBLE
Sun 23 April 2:00pm Dur:2h (incl interval)
SIT Centrestage Theatre, Invercargill
Kate's Mates' Rates presents
This virtuoso string trio presents a programme of three contrasting and rarely heard masterworks: Beethoven’s String Trio in G major Op. 9 No 1; Sibelius - String Trio in G minor, JS 210 and Mozart’s Divertimento for String Trio in E-flat major K.563.
The trio comprises Haihong Liu (violin), Zhongxian Jin (cello) and Robert Ibell (cello). Liu and Ibell are both members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra while Jin is a freelance violist and teacher.
www.arohaquartet.co.nz
Cost: a “Kate Sheppard” ($10) donation.
KA
TE'S MATES' R
ATES
Mon 1 May Concert
1:45pm Dur: 1h Otautau School
Mon 1 May Ukulele workshop
12:30pm Dur: 1h Otautau School
8 9
THE JAC
Sun 14 May 2:00pm Dur: 1h SIT Centrestage
Theatre
Chamber Music New Zealand presents
What an outstanding line-up!
The Jac features eight of New Zealand’s foremost musicians from the jazz, classical and metal scenes, including members of The Troubles, the Rodger Fox Big Band,
the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Richter City Rebels.
Drawing heavily on a variety of genres, they perform cinematic, suite-like compositions. The writing of Jake Baxendale, Callum Allardice and Daniel Millward
allows its members to combine the tightly controlled power of a big band with the intimacy, playfulness and interaction of a small chamber jazz group.
Intelligent and intricate, yet deeply grooving, this band is a must-see.
KA
TE'S MATES' R
ATES
Cost: a “Kate Sheppard” ($10) donation.
GALLIPOLI TO THE SOMME
Sat 20 May 7:30pm Dur: 1h Civic Theatre,
Invercargill
Anthony Ritchie has long been recognised as one of New Zealand’s most prolific and approachable composers. This major new work which premiered at the Dunedin Arts Festival, 2016, features international opera singer and Southland's own Rebecca Ryan together with rising New Zealand bass baritone, Joel Amosa.
They are joined by A Capella Choir together with the local secondary school choirs and are accompanied by the Invercargill Symphonia under the baton of Wayne Perniskie.
Gallipoli to the Somme commemorates the events and times of World War I.
Cost: a “Kate Sheppard” ($10) donation.
Rebecca Ryan Concerts presents
COMPOSER: ANTHONY RITCHIESOLOISTS: JOEL AMOSA AND REBECCA RYAN
Supported by the Invercargill Creative NZ Communities Funding Scheme
KA
TE'S MATES' R
ATES
10 11
If you dare, experience this supernatural thriller from the team who brought you Battle
of the Bastards and Mr and Mrs Alexander: Sideshows and Psychics.
Suzanne and Arthur Bishop make a living by explaining the paranormal—that is—until
the night their lecture is disrupted by strange occurrences. As the evening goes on, all is not
what it seems. And the presence they have unleashed is not ready to rest...
Based on real life accounts of early New Zealand hauntings, this spine chilling
production will make you question every shadow and sleep with the lights on. Perfect
for fans of mysteries, thrillers and films such as The Conjuring, The Others and The Woman
in Black.
Warning: Show contains paranormal activity and is not suitable for those with a nervous
disposition.
www.rollickingentertainment.com
12-13 May 8:00pm Dur:1h
Repertory House, Invercargill
Rollicking Entertainment presents
Book at Eventfinda Booking fees apply.
$30/$25/$15
DUNSTAN CREEK SÉANCE
Impeccable timing from all concerned elevates the production to that rarely achieved beast, successful recreation of the
supernatural in live theatre.linDsay clark, TheaTreview
With support from Creative New Zealand
Dunstan Creek Séance was first produced in association with The Court Theatre, Christchurch
Door sales 1h prior
THE CHILLSBanished Music presents
WITH SPECIAL GUEST ANTHONIE TONNON
Legendary Dunedin band The Chills formed in 1980, centring around the rare talent of Martin Phillipps. His knack for writing fantastic pop songs led to chart hits and a cult following around the world.
With early releases via NZ label Flying Nun, The Chills produced a number of critically acclaimed recordings such as Pink Frost and Heavenly Pop Hit.
Their live energy and the consistent quality of their songs have established The Chills as one of the most well-known and best-loved New Zealand bands.
http://www.softbomb.com/
Fri 5 May 8:30pm - Anthonie Tonnon
9:30pm - The Chills The Scottish Hall, Invercargill
Dur: 2h
Book at Ticketdirect Booking fees apply.
$40
Genuinely chilling and scary...Immaculate stagecraft and trickery.The press
12 13
The legend that is Jean Batten is fascinating and powerful. Cool, glamorous and utterly
fearless, the great aviatrix's flight from England to New Zealand in a single engine plane made of wood and fabric, navigating
with just a compass and a watch, is one of the extraordinary feats of the last century.
In this solo production, starring Alex Ellis and written by Phil Ormsby, we meet Jean in
1936 as she waits for clear weather. Stuck in the luxury of the Hotel Australia, desperate to carry on her flight, Jean must handle the pressure, fear, uncertainties and prejudices
that lie ahead.
A joyous and powerful celebration of a woman who fought against the odds to
secure her place in history.
Fri 28 April 8:00pm
Repertory House, InvercargillBook at Eventfinda
Booking fees apply.
$30/$25/$15
From the writer of Two Little Boys and Scarfies, comes LovePuke, a play about sex, arguments, breaking up and making up.
Testing themselves in the game of love, eight characters strive to understand the complexities of relationships. Watching them succeed or fail may result in you feeling more comfortable in your own skin, knowing your experience of love is a universal one.
3-6 May 7:30pm Dur:90m
Repertory House, Invercargill
Repertory Invercargill presents
Book at Ticketdirect Booking fees apply.
$20/$15
LOVEPUKEBY DUNCAN SARKIESDIRECTED BY VICTORIA MILLS
a devastatingly funny foray into the fundamental truths that keep our fluids flowing. In a word: juicy.
John sMyThe, TheaTreview
MISS JEAN BATTEN
McDowall Print presents in association with Flaxworks
Sat 29 April 3:00pm
Repertory House, Invercargill
Please note, latecomers will not be admitted
Alex Ellis gives us an utterly engaging, thought-provoking performance as
Miss Jean Battenleigh sykes, TheaTreview
Door sales 1h prior Dur:1h
14 15
ANZAC EVEDave Armstrong's
DIRECTED BY JAMIE MCCASKILL
Two Kiwi guys meet two Aussie girls… the rest is history.
Anzac Eve is an exciting new play about a disparate group of ‘twentysomethings’ on their big OE, who happen upon each other the night before Dawn commemorations at Gallipoli. National pride and personal issues stir up strong feelings as tempers flare, romance sparks and ghosts are uncovered.
Each seeing historical events through their own lens, are they really there to solemnly commemorate the occasion? Or, are they just there for a boozy party and possible hook-up?
Directed by Jamie McCaskill and written by Dave Armstrong, Anzac Eve is highly entertaining and takes an honest and unflinching look at the ANZAC experience. This fresh and contemporary take on a significant time in our nation’s history, is a must-see for every young New Zealander.
“Every battle is Chunuk Bair; every war is the First World War”
First class entertainment. A strong exploration of unsavoury fact versus popular fiction.
oTago Daily TiMes
Sat 29 April 7:00pm
Scottish Hall, Invercargill
Fri 28 April 7:00pm
Scottish Hall, Invercargill
Fri 5 May 7:30pm
Fiordland College, Te Anau
Thu 4 May 7:30pm
Central Southland College, Winton
Wed 3 May 7:30pm
Waikaia Community Centre
Tue 2 May 7:30pm
Northern Southland College, Lumsden
Mon 1 May 7:30pm
Tokanui Hall,Tokanui
$20/$5Door sales at all
venues
Dur: 1h
Contains a small amount of coarse language. Age Recommendation 13+Proudly supported by the Southland District Council
Book at Eventfinda Booking fees apply.
Book at Ticketdirect Booking fees apply.
Sat 6 May 7:30pm
Aparima College, Riverton
Commissioned by the Festival of Colour and funded by NZ WW1 Centenary Fund.
16 17
CELEBRATE STORY DONNA JACOBS SIFE & ED STIVENDER
Southland Council of the New Zealand Literacy Association
Donna Jacobs Sife is a writer, award-winning storyteller and peace-worker. From the United Nations to Woodford Folk Festival, her considerable international reputation is built on her capacity to bridge difference – be it within our societies, our communities or ourselves.
A self-described “full-time daydreamer who moonlights as a storyteller”, Ed Stivender has entertained audiences around the world since 1980 and is known for his delightful mixture of whimsy, wit and wisdom.
www.donnajacobsife.comwww.edstivender.com
Fri 19 May 7:30pm Dur:2h
Repertory House Invercargill
$18/$12Adul
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once
rtSat 13 May 11:00am Dur:1h
Young Reflections, Tay St, Invercargill
FreeFam
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once
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Book at Eventfinda Booking fees apply.
Wed 17 May 7:30pm Dur:2h Cheeky Llama
Café, Queens Park
$12/$8Mee
t the
Telle
rs
Door sales 30m prior
From the creators of Meeting Karpovsky and Playing Miss Havisham comes this delightful
modern, magical mystery with music from The Magic Flute.
Gloria, aged 97, is being pushed by her son to move to a “retireville”. Gloria,
however, has other ideas. On a whim, she buys an extraordinary designer handbag,
the purchase of which sets off a series of unusual events which transform her
remaining days…
Starring Helen Moulder as Gloria with direction by Sue Rider.
www.aotnz.co.nz
GLORIA’S HANDBAG
Arts on Tour NZ presents
Thu 11 May 7:30pm Dur:1h20m Repertory House,
Invercargill
It’s imperative to have a good handbag when you’re on the way out.
Wed 10 May 7:30pm Dur:1h20m
Fiordland Community Events Centre
Book at Eventfinda Booking fees apply.
$30/$25/$15
Helen Moulder as Gloria is a marvel…six characters, expert storytelling, opera singing and magic tricks, all performed by a cast of one.
keeping up wiTh nZ
Door sales 1h prior
18 19
Here’s a show created especially for the young and
young at heart.
Two cleaners are hired to clean a magician’s house.
But when they accidentally let the magic out of its box, everything is turned topsy-
turvy. The audience must help get the magic back in
the box before the magician comes home. Meanwhile,
the house gets messier and messier!
THE MESSY MAGIC ADVENTURE
Macaulay Mazda presents in association with Rollicking Entertainment
Sun 14 May 6:00pm Dur:45m SIT Centrestage
TheatreBook at Ticketdirect
Booking fees apply.
$12
Highly recommended for big kids and little kids alike.
erin harringTon, TheaTreview
OUTREACH SINGINGDo you love to sing? Does your baby/toddler/pre-schooler share your love of singing? Perhaps you’d like to introduce your family to the joys of singing?
Come along to our interactive sessions for families and join in with the music, singing and action songs.
There might even be a singing fairy or two to add to the fun.
Fri 21 April 11:15am-12:00pm
Invercargill City Library Free
Joy takes on a whole new meaning
Fri 28 April 11:15am-12:00pm
Invercargill City Library
Fri 12 May 11:15am-12:00pm
Invercargill City Library
With support from Creative New Zealand
Dur:45m
www.rollickingentertainment.com
20 21
BEN HURLEY: Notorious Management Ltd presents
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, 195 sovereign states all have their unique quirks. Ben Hurley, one of
New Zealand’s favourite comedians, will show you how funny they all
are.
Ben will explore the big ones, the small ones, the disputed
ones and even the unrecognized ones, finding nuggets of comedic
brilliance in each.
www.ncomedy.com
Book at Ticketdirect Booking fees apply.
$30/$25/$15Sat 22 April
8:00pm Dur:1h SIT Centrestage
Theatre, Invercargill
On top of great content and an insane amount of research, Hurley’s execution is on point. He roars onto the stage with child-like energy and manages to keep
himself – and the audience – buzzing throughout the entire hourMeTro (nZ)
COMEDY TOUR WITH CORI GONZALEZ-MACUER & JUSTINE SMITH
The House Series presents
Sat 29 April 8:00pm
Little Theatre, Gore
Thu 27 April 8:00pm
Invercargill Brewery
Fri 28 April 8:00pm
Stewart Island Community Centre
Dur: 2h
Booking fees apply.
$25 Book at Eventfinda
7Days regular and star of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer dissects the people he desperately hopes his daughter doesn’t turn into… from reality TV “stars” to people who post inspirational quotes. There are a lot of annoying people on this Earth!
Winner of the Billy T Award and the NZ Comedy Guild Best Female Comedian (twice), Justine Smith is one of the funniest people you’re likely to meet. With a flick of the eye and “To be honest…” she will have you in stitches!
Join two of New Zealand’s funniest comedians for a whirlwind tour of southern towns.
www.thehouseseries.co.nzFacebook: houseseriesingill
$30 door sales
EARTH PLANET WORLD
22 23
CHEESEJava Dance Theatre
Amazing animals, squirting milk jets and flying hay bales combine with all the bells and whistles to make cheese.
Dancing milkmaids and yodelling goatherds will lead you on a farmyard frolic as they attempt to make their first ever cheese. If you have ever wondered where cheese comes from or cried over spilt milk this is the show for you.
Cheese is an epic journey from grass to milk to stringy, chewy, stretchy, rubbery, crumbly delicious cheese, all created with live music and stunning dance.
The festival is thrilled to be welcoming back Java Dance Theatre whose signature brand of delicious smelling dance, live music and theatre has brought us The Wine Project and taken us on tours with The Back of the Bus.
Sat 13 May 6:00pm Dur:50m SIT Centrestage
Theatre, InvercargillBook at Ticketdirect
Booking fees apply.
$20/$10
ART IN THE HEART: PECHA KUCHA
Dan Davin Literary Foundation
The popular Pecha Kucha event is back--this time with a focus on Southland’s future arts direction.
We’ll discuss the latest update on the “Art in the Heart” consultation process for the city’s proposed art
gallery centre.
Enhancing the discussion will be some inspirational speakers who
will offer their unique insights into what it takes to keep the city’s
cultural heart beating.
Come along and catch up with the arts sector and show your
support to the on-going focus of advancing The Arts in Southland.
Free Entry
Sun 7 May 2:00pm Dur:1h10m Repertory House,
Invercargill
Java Dance Company is a force to be reckoned with. They are totally committed to their craft physically, emotionally, energetically.
kiM Buckley, TheaTreview
24 25
Southland Museum and Art Gallery
EUAN MACLEOD PAINTING THE PAINTER
Euan Macleod’s Painting the Painter is the first major survey exhibition of his work to be shown in New Zealand. Featuring forty-two works spanning 1984 to 2014, Macleod
has produced a remarkably gripping body of work, curated by Gregory O’Brien.
With its strikingly raw imagery, textured paint surfaces, expressionistic brush and palette knife techniques, and immense
vitality, this exhibition exemplifies Macleod’s recurring interest in the relationship between the human body and the
environment.
The Riverton Community Art Centre
The 2017 Preston Russell Law Art Awards
The Preston Russell Law Art Awards are open to any artists residing in Southland, Otago, Central Otago or who are members of the
Riverton Community Art Centre.
4 Mar-7 May Southland Museum & Art Gallery
www.southlandmuseum.co.nz 03 219 9069
FreeC.S Art presents
CREATIVE SPACES CAPSULE PROJECT
In collaboration with Southern Institute of Technology, this C.S Art exhibition
displays the artworks collected throughout its journey to creative spaces around the
country.
24 Apr-19 May9:00am-5:00pm
Mon-Fri S.I.T Raw Gallery, Downtown Campus, Don St, Invercargill
Free
8 Apr-7 May 11:00am-4:00pm Thu-Sun
Riverton Community Arts Centre, 149 Palmerston St, Riverton
Free
You will be inspired by this selection of images by some nationally-awarded
photographers.
Butchershop Studio and Art Gallery, Waikaia
CHANGING FACESCurated by Annie Bourque, the exhibition looks at the shift in the demographics of
one rural town. With the generous help of the Waikaia residents Annie has collected stories, photos and sculptures over a two
year period to show how a small community has stayed stable, sustainable and vibrant
through death, floods and gold mining.
15 - 29 April 11:00am-4:00pm
Butchershop Studio & Art Gallery, 58 Willington St, Waikaia
Free
19 Apr-20 MayOpen Store Hours
H & J Smith, Tay Street, Invercargill
Free
Southland Photographic Society Exhibition
LENZVIEW
26 27
FESTIVAL GUIDE11:15am
Outreach Singing Invercargill
8:00pm Dunstan Creek Séance
Invercargill
11:30am Storytellers family concert
Invercargill
6:00pm Cheese
Invercargill
8:00pm Dunstan Creek Séance
Invercargill
2:00pm The JAC
Invercargill
6:00pm The Messy Magic Adventure
Invercargill
7:30pm Meet the Tellers
Invercargill
7:30pm Storytellers adult concert
Invercargill
7:30pm Gallipoli to the Somme
Invercargill
7:30pm Anzac Eve
Winton
7:30pm Love Puke Invercargill
7:30pm Anzac Eve
Te Anau
7:30pm Love Puke Invercargill
8:30pm The Chills
Invercargill
7:30pm Anzac Eve Riverton
7:30pm Love Puke Invercargill
2:00pm Art in the Heart Pecha Kucha
Invercargill
7:30pm Gloria's Handbag
Te Anau
7:30pm Kathryn Stott & NZSQ
Invercargill
7:30pm Gloria's Handbag
Invercargill
8:00pm My Name is Moana
Stewart Island
11:15am Outreach Singing
Invercargill
8:00pm My Name is Moana
Invercargill
8:00pm Ben Hurley Invercargill
2:00pm Aroha Ensemble
Invercargill
8:00pm Comedy Night
Invercargill
11:15am Outreach Singing
Invercargill
7:00pm Anzac Eve Invercargill
8:00pm Miss Jean Batten
Invercargill
8:00pm Comedy Night Stewart Island
3:00pm Miss Jean Batten
Invercargill
7:00pm Anzac Eve Invercargill
8:00pm Comedy Night
Gore
2:00pm Ukulele workshop
Invercargill
4:00pm The Nukes Invercargill
12:30pm Ukulele workshop
Otautau
1:45pm The Nukes
Otautau
7:30pm Anzac Eve
Tokanui
7:30pm Anzac Eve Lumsden
7:30pm Anzac Eve
Waikaia
7:30pm Love Puke Invercargill
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Information in this programme was correct at the time of printing. Venture Southland assumes no responsibility for unforeseen
changes or errors.
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