Weekly Sacre Update #5

Welcome to your weekly update for

Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project

Proudly part of the REAL New Zealand Festival

For more information about the project, visit the APO website.

What’s Been Happening

What hasn’t been happening over the past week?

Royston Maldoom and Volker Eisenach arrived in Auckland last Thursday straight from Berlin, throwing the dancers and all those involved in Sacre into full rehearsal and production mode with only a month to go until the curtain rises at the Aotea Centre.

• Auckland dished out its finest spring weather on Friday 9 September for the Sacre powhiri, creating a picturesque welcome for choreographer and artistic director Royston Maldoom.

Guests received a spine-tingling welcome with an extra special karanga as they advanced onto Orakei Marae. The tangata whenua were joined by approximately 200 warriors producing an indescribable sound. Luckily for you we captured part of it on video – take a look. The warriors were at Orakei Marae preparing for their trip to Queen’s Wharf for the Rugby World Cup opening.

Once formalities were completed, students from Hay Park School, New Lynn Primary and Pakuranga Intermediate chatted together with nervous excitement as they finally got to meet Royston and Volker.  It was great to see choreographers Royston, Volker, Ann Dewey and Moss Patterson together at last. Tai Royal, the missing piece of the dance team, was unable to make it but we know he was there in spirit.

The powhiri was captured on camera by the APO’s photographer of choice, Adrian Malloch, who is still working on a top secret assignment for the project. Other guests in attendance included The British Council (one of the project’s main funders) and Carwyn Jones, the First Minister of Wales.

Royston takes control  

• Rehearsals commenced this week with a sense of excitement among students as they prepare to work with dancers from other schools under the watchful eye of Royston and Volker.

Hay Park School and New Lynn Primary were first off the mark with rehearsals on Monday.

Kristin School, Tangaroa College and first year dance students from the University of Auckland followed suit with rehearsals lasting into Monday evening (picture right). The dancers were a little timid to begin with but seemed to relax and laughter filled the studio for the remainder of the night. Royston and Volker, joined by Moss Patterson, were impressed with the speed with which the dancers picked up and retained choreography.

Sacre Blog• With rehearsals taking place six days a week from now until 14 October, be sure to check out the Sacre blog regularly for updates and sneak peeks. If you have any great images or news, send it to HelenS@apo.co.nz with ‘Sacre blog’ in the subject line.

Upcoming Rehearsals• 14 September, Hay Park School and New Lynn Primary followed by Pakuranga Intermediate

• 15 September, Hay Park School and New Lynn Primary followed by Mt Albert Grammar School

• 16 September, Pakuranga Intermediate followed by Mt Albert Grammar School

• 17 September, Tangaroa College and Kristin School

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