Weaver on Wellington

I love it but what's with all the moustaches?

LOREN BATSON

UKULELE ENTHUSIAST: Hollywood actress Sigourney Weaver went to Cuba Mall last night with her husband to listen to the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

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Sigourney Weaver, one of Hollywood's toughest stars, is struggling to adjust to an alien concept - all the moustaches on Kiwi men.

Weaver, who has appeared in blockbuster films like the Aliens and Ghostbusters series, made a surprise appearance at Wellington's Mighty Mighty bar in Cuba Mall last night to listen to the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

Her husband, Jim Simpson, is a keen ukulele musician and jammed with the group at the launch of Wellington sustainability movement Intersect.

Weaver, 58, does not play an instrument but describes herself as a ukulele enthusiast.

She is in Wellington filming director James Cameron's Avatar and said she had fallen in love with the city, enjoying being able to travel five minutes to a beach.

"It's a little windy but I love it. Everyone I've met is so friendly. It's an absolutely beautiful country."

However, she had had some hairy experiences in the capital - those perched atop Kiwi males' stiff upper lips as part of the Movember fundraiser to battle prostate cancer.

"I walked in and saw all the moustaches. A lot of guys are growing them on the set.

"I like it that the men get that out of their system and then they're moustache-free for the rest of the year."

Weaver has a month left in the country and has asked her husband to return so they can spend Christmas here together.

Her dream was to rent a van and tour the South Island.

"But he's a bit of a purist and would rather spend it in America ... and I know I won't have time."

Avatar is a US$200 million science-fiction film that blends live-action photography and a new 3D filming process.

Weaver has been nominated for Academy Awards three times and won Golden Globes for her performances in Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl.

- © Fairfax NZ News