Young cast staging Bard's comedy

Port Tarakohe upgrade

A group of 20 keen KidznTeentheatre students are primed and ready to perform William Shakespeare’s A Mid-summer/ winter Night’s Dream at the Playhouse this weekend.

Although this is an abridged version of the original, director Ronnie Short said there is still a fair amount of Shakespearian language throughout.

“These young actors have all worked hard to understand the lines they speak, in order to get the meaning of the words across,” said Ronnie.

At dress rehearsal, it was clear the troupe were ready to go. Period costumes accentuated each actor’s polished performance. Fairies sparkled with flowery abandon, singing and dancing for their fairy queen.

Puck, that mischievous elf, provides plenty of pizazz with his physicality. Using magic, he enjoys “transforming” one of the working men attempting to be actors.

All the elements of this romantic comedy are beautifully portrayed throughout this “play-within-a-play”. Fantasy entwines with drama to enchant and enrich the story.

KidznTeentheatre’s 2023 offering is a huge step up for the young thespians. When Ronnie asked which genre they would like to explore, the majority requested “Shakespeare”.

The Bard's A Midsummer Night’s Dream fitted the 6–14–year age range best. This is the third version Ronnie has produced, each in a different venue and “about a decade apart”.

Ronnie considers Shakespeare to be a huge learning curve for her students. Pronouncing Shakespearian words and phrases – plus understanding the bard’s use of simile and metaphor – is challenging.

Having seasoned singers in the group inspired Ronnie to include songs in addition to the fairy verses. Poppy Hughes, Ruby Markham, Zoe Hall, and Maggie Quinn delight with their singing prowess.

As the show is more of a midwinter offering, Saturday’s performance begins at 6.30pm. Sunday is a 2.00pm matinee. Children younger than six or seven years of age will not understand most of the story, so discretion is advised.

Refreshments will be available for purchase at intermission.

Tickets are available from Take Note, who request cash only please. Otherwise, tickets may be available at the door, but Ronnie advises people to come a little earlier if they need to purchase them.

A Midsummer/winter Night’s Dream, the Playhouse, Tākaka. Saturday 24 June 6.30pm, and Sunday 25 June 2pm. Tickets $13/$10 cash from Take Note.

The big machines have moved into Port Tarakohe as the upgrade of the harbour facility gets underway.

The major work will see the inner eastern breakwater extended, the installation of new concrete floating berths on the northern pontoon facility, plus new fendering around the existing concrete wharf.

During the construction period access will be restricted from time to time, while car parking will be very limited throughout the upgrade.

As the port is a well-established blue penguin habitat, Tasman District Council has asked penguin expert Dr John Cockram from Massey University to monitor the birds while the rock work takes place at the end of the breakwater.

The full upgrade is scheduled to be completed by February next year.

High School corner revamp

Following a two-year trial, the experimental road layout at the intersection between Commercial Street, Rototai Road and Meihana Street is being made permanent.

Contractors moved in late last week to carry out the necessary work which involves removing the now-obsolete filter road, backfilling with soil to be grassed, replacing the temporary plastic pedestrian ramps with permanent installations, and installing lighting at the zebra crossing.

It’s not been a smooth ride for the Innovating Streets Project; the trial layout was the subject of criticism by some members of the community, prompting the Golden Bay Community Board to back an alternative, but this proposal was itself overturned as a result of objections raised by the GB High School Board.

The new configuration is considered to provide primary and high school students with a safer crossing at the complex and often busy junction.

 Retro fitting

 Balustrades

 Window Reputty