A big song and dance

Last updated 10:59 03/03/2010

MAKING MOVES: Sidi Larbi Cherakaoui in a scene from Sutra.

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As the New Zealand International Arts Festival kicked into gear last weekend, Charles Anderson headed to the capital to see what all the fuss is about

There is a curious buzz around Wellington at the moment. With almost 1000 artists from 30 countries taking part in theatre, music, dance and visual arts, there is much to be seen and done.

The theatre programme includes the New Zealand debut of director Peter Brook, whose latest work, Eleven and Twelve, premieres in Paris later this month.

The theatre lineup features the cult show Circus Cirkor, as well as dancer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui performing Sutra, a Sadlers Wells production, and the show Good Morning Mr Gershwin, by French choreographers Compagnie Montalvo-Hervieu.

Also from France, street theatre maestros Royal de Luxe present Revolt of the Mannequins – a free comic strip theatre played out by 40 mannequins in 10 Wellington shop windows.

For something a little quirky in the way of free theatre, the Compagnie Beau Geste performs Transports Exceptionnels at Waitangi Park, where dancer Philippe Priasso performs a duet with a mechanical digger.

Fifteen exhibitions in eight galleries include the work of light sculptor Anthony McCall, video artist Bill Viola and sound sculptor Janet Cardiff, as well as New Zealand artists Frances Hodgkins, Seraphine Pick, Milan Mrkusich, Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard.

Programme details are online now at nzfestival.nzpost.co.nz.