NZ’s Biggest Arts Festival for Children hits Wellington

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New Zealand’s Biggest Arts Festival for Children hits Wellington

International artists and the country’s finest talent will be brought together in New Zealand's biggest arts festival for children in March this year.

Capital E has announced the line-up for their biennial National Arts Festival to be held 11 - 23 March 2013. From shows set in the Arctic to the Antarctic and everywhere in between Wellington will become the hub of theatre, dance, comedy and music for visiting schools and families, as venues around the Capital play host to thousands of children. Festival Producer Derek Simpson says, “2013 is our sixth biennial Arts Festival for Capital E and will be our biggest yet – with four international shows, five Kiwi acts, and the premiere of four new works, seen by over 2000 children a day – it’s two weeks of culture, art, interaction, adventure and fun.”

Relish the inspiring theatre as Australia’s Spoon Tree Productions present iceberg-sized epic The Man the Sea Saw. Wrapped in a dazzling set that unfolds like a pop-up book, this touching adventure from the inventive mind of playwright and performer Wolfe Bowart weaves together comedy, stage illusion, puppetry, film and a touch of the circus to create an intriguing picnic on a melting ice floe. Also coming from Australia, there will be chaos, comedy and acrobatics as things go Kaput for Tom Flannigan while he attempts to treat the crowd to a ‘talkie’ picture – just how hard could it be?

All the way from Scotland, Puppet State Theatre Company will perform their intimate and multi-sensory production The Man Who Planted Trees. In an adaptation of Jean Giono’s environmental classic, discover the difference one man (and his dog!) can make to the world.

For music lovers, there will be two brand new works. Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Adam Page will take the audience on an entertaining whirlwind of a school day in Like It Or Loop It. Transforming everyday sounds using samples, live recording and looping, it will be impossible to brush your teeth out of rhythm again! While New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Capital E National Theatre for Children break new ground as the entire orchestra take to the stage accompanied by giant projections and stunning puppetry to bring together a mythical tale of epic proportions – Sky Dancer is the perfect introduction to classical music for young ears.

Wellington’s Java Dance Company will be heading Down Beneath Below on an icy voyage to the wonderful world of the deep in a brand new work inspired by Our Far South, a Morgan Foundation project. Three dancers will transport the audience from urban streets to the bottom of the world as they hip hop, crump and shake their way to meet wild creatures and explore magic places.

And there’s more from New Zealand’s creative talent: Little Dog Barking will deliver the enchanting story Duck, Death and the Tulip, based on the internationally celebrated children’s book, in which an unlikely friendship develops and a strangely heart-warming story unfolds; Taki Rua present a tale of courage and self-belief as Kahe swims from Kapiti Island with her baby to save her people in Te Rau o te Rangi performed on Te Papa’s iconic Marae; and Auckland’s Theatre Beating will mix up a concoction of punk-panto physical comedy, live music, and a mysterious feathered friend as two chefs juggle pots, pans and snarling customers in The Magic Chicken.

Clear your schedule and get booked in for an entertaining weekend. Tickets are on sale now, and with three tickets for the price of two there has never been a better way to get a family fix of theatre!

When: 11 – 23 March 2013

More details and bookings: www.capitale.org.nz

ENDS

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