Sharon’s Spanish Sway Enthrals Don Quixote Fans

Media Release November 12 2008

The newest star of the Royal New Zealand Ballet is raising eyebrows with her sexy Spanish sashay but is far from being a demanding diva.

A mechanical dog, whimsically named Sharon by RNZB Artistic Director Gary Harris and Choreographer Adrian Burnett, has become a talking point in the Meridian Season of Don Quixote.

Good Morning presenter Sarah Bradley (pictured above with Sharon) was among those left amazed by the perky prop.

“The show was full of colour, remarkable costumes and dancing and then there was the dog! The audience roared with laughter when Sharon trotted on … just how does the RNZB get her to wiggle her tush like that?”

The dog was designed and built by Wellingtonian Chris Covich, and is propelled around the stage by flashy rogue Gamache (played right by Paul Matthews). RNZB Production Manager Andrew Lees says from conception to reality, the dog took some time to put together but is now a very low maintenance performer. “She’s definitely a one of a kind pedigree. But then, she doesn’t need feeding, doesn’t make a mess and we don’t need a licence for her.” He says what looks like a dog lead is actually a steel rod used to move the dog, while two offset wheels add to the realism.

“But really most of it is in the theatrics of the performer,” he says.

Fresh from a week in Wellington in which Don Quixote was described as having “spirit, colour, comedy, pathos, wit, striking design and some smashing good dancing,” the performers of the Royal New Zealand Ballet have now headed off on a tour of New Zealan

The Meridian Season of Don Quixote performance dates Invercargill 11 – 12 November Civic Theatre Dunedin 15 – 16 November Featuring the Southern Sinfonia Regent Theatre Christchurch 19 – 22 November Featuring the Christchurch Symphony Isaac Theatre Royal Palmerston North 25 – 26 November Regent Theatre on Broadway Napier

29 – 30 November Municipal Theatre Auckland 3 – 7 December Featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Aotea Centre at THE EDGE® Hamilton 10 –11 December Founders Theatre

ENDS

© Scoop Media