It's a wrap!

Welcome to your final 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.

It’s a wrap!

Image: Adrian Malloch

It’s hard to believe that the three-year odyssey of Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project has come to an end.

Te Pou Whakairo, the kapa haka group from Ngati Whatua o Orakei, kicked off the night, setting the tone for an exciting evening.

Part 1 of Gareth Farr’s drum-fest From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs was perfect for the occasion, with the APO’s percussion section on fire.

And the orchestra was on top form for the main event, too, Music Director Eckehard Stier bringing out both the savagery and subtlety of The Rite of Spring.

Dancers responded to the energy of the musicians, displaying commitment and focus from the moment the audience laid eyes on the opening scene, a human waka formed from the dancers. This drama continued until the last note of music.

Movement was dynamic and impressive as the dancers seamlessly created new images and formations - no easy feat with 190 on stage. Spotted among the sea of students were several promising young dancers who we would love to see back on stage in the future.

That could happen. Barbara Glaser, the APO’s Chief Executive, says: “Sacre was a testament to the talent of these young Aucklanders, and the bond created between them and the APO will last into the future. We intend to stay in contact with as many of those involved in Sacre as possible. Who knows what may come of it in the future?”  

We’ll leave the last word to William Dart, who reviewed Sacre for nzherald.co.nz: “Royston Maldoom and this project will leave their legacy on all who took part in it. Its impact will extend well beyond those 30 or so minutes in the Aotea Centre, so breathtakingly delivered that one regrets this was its only public performance.”

Be sure to visit the Sacre blog for reviews, documentaries, articles and everything else surrounding Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project over the past week.

A big thank you

Sacre: The Auckland Dance Project has truly been an Auckland project, with professional involvement and volunteer support from a huge number of people.  We would like to acknowledge:

Royston Maldoom

Choreographer and Artistic Director

Eckehard Stier

Music Director

Volker Eisenach

Moss Patterson

Taiaroa Royal

Ann Dewey

Megan Adams

Choreographic Team

Dancers from:

University of Auckland Dance Studies Programme

Associate Professor

Ralph Buck

    Head of Dance Studies

Kristin School

    Teresa Lauago

    Curriculum Manager Dance

    Peter Clague

    Executive Principal

Mt Albert Grammar School

    Jacqui Cesan

    Dance Teacher

    Dale Burden

    Headmaster

Tangaroa College

    David Riley

Teacher in Charge of Performing Arts

   

Ngaire Ashmore

    Principal

Pakuranga Intermediate

    Jessica Taylor

    Organising Teacher

    Stuart Myers

    Principal

Hay Park Primary School

    Connie Igasan

    Organising Teacher

    Margaret Aikman

    Principal

New Lynn Primary School

    Lisa Pickles

    Organising Teacher

    Greg Roebuck

    Principal

Sally Markham

Producer

Marama Lloydd

Costume design and production

Vanda Karolczak

Lighting Design

Natasha Pearce

Project Coordinator

Kendra Oxley

Edda Wiese

APO Interns

Fraser Bruce (drums)

Nick Hill (trumpet)

Workshop Musicians

We would particularly like to acknowledge the support of:

Royal New Zealand Ballet, for provision of dance floor

Richard Jeffery CEO TelstraClear Pacific, for venue and other support

Ralph Buck University of Auckland, for rehearsal space

All participating schools, for support with student participation and transport

Atamira Dance Company for additional costumes

Vicki Slow, for blue cloth

The orchestra and APO staff

We are especially grateful for special funding for this project from:

Real New Zealand Festival
ASB Community Trust

British Council

NZ Lottery Grants Board