Rocking robin: New Zealand entertainer Suzanne Prentice rehearses with children from Renwick, Witherlea, Springlands and Tua Marina Schools before their sell-out show last night.
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Marlborough school students are putting on the ritz at the World Vision Kids for Kids Top of the World concert showing at the Marlborough Floorpride Civic Theatre this week.
The musical production is led by New Zealand country music singer Suzanne Prentice, who has been travelling around the country directing and starring in the shows for 17 years.
Yesterday morning children from Renwick, Witherlea, Springlands and Tua Marina Schools rehearsed the show with Mrs Prentice before performing before a full house last night.
Mrs Prentice has been involved with World Vision for 20 years and said the aim of the show is to raise money for World Vision, raise awareness of under privileged children in third world countries and give New Zealand children the opportunity to have fun with music.
"If I can inspire one kid to take up music, I'm happy. I love working with them, you never know what you're going to get," she said.
About 750 Marlborough school students are participating in the show held over three nights, ending tomorrow night.
The schools are sent the songs to learn in advance, and Mrs Prentice and her crew have one rehearsal with the children to polish the vocals and teach them the actions, she said.
"We run a pretty slick show on the night and even though children are singing and it's a family show, there's something for everyone - rock and roll, jazz, country, all sorts."
Mrs Prentice has a long career in New Zealand entertainment. She was New Zealand Entertainer of the Year in 1984 and has won the Gold Guitar Award at the Australasian Country Music awards three times.
Earlier this year she released her first album in 15 years I'll do it all over again, which made it to number one on the New Zealand charts.
"It was something I had been meaning to do for so long. I did it for my mum, who passed away in February, so she only got to hear a couple of the songs," she said.
Today students from Queen Charlotte College, Spring Creek, Blenheim, Linkwater, Waikawa Bay, Picton, Richmond View and Rapaura Schools are rehearsing for their performance tonight.
Tomorrow students from Whitney Street, Riverlands, Rai Valley, Grovetown, St Mary's, Canvastown, Redwoodtown and Bohally Intermediate Schools and Marlborough Home Schoolers will be performing.
The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost $24 for adults, children and students $18 and under three-year-olds are free.
- The Marlborough Express
