Provincial With Ballet And Banshees

NZ On Air Keeps It Provincial With Ballet And Banshees

NZ On Air has announced funding for two new documentary programmes, Tutus and Town Halls, and Ghosts, both featuring small town New Zealand in very different ways.

Tutus and Town Halls will follow the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company as it dances its way round the country’s tiniest community theatres and memorial halls on its 2001 national tour. Sixteen dancers in the South Island and sixteen in the North Island, will perform contemporary and classical ballet in 46 centres in just 37 days.

"As well as dance, Tutus and Town Halls will be an affectionate and sometimes humorous portrayal of what happens when city arts meet country venues," said NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jo Tyndall.

"This project is an entertaining, fun way to help achieve NZ On Air’s objective of putting arts and performance on air, and portraying New Zealand beyond the main centres," she said.

As with Tutus and Town Halls, Ghosts will feature many stories set in the provinces, but this time the focus will be on banshees rather than ballet.

Ghosts will take a modern and upbeat look at some haunting New Zealand tales, involving eye-witness accounts and on-location re-enactments. Many tales will have a strong Maori connection, recognising the significant part this aspect of ghostly mythology has played New Zealand’s folklore and history.

"Whether you’re a believer or a non-believer, Ghosts will provide another way of looking at New Zealand history through the mysterious world of the supernatural," said Ms Tyndall.

"This will be a fascinating and intriguing version of our country’s anecdotal history. The compelling format will not only bring together stories from all over the country, but will provide us with a fresh perspective on our past," she said.

NZ On Air has allocated $200,000 to TV3 to produce eight, half hour programmes of Ghosts, to be broadcast by TV3.

Gibson Group will receive $114,000 to produce the one hour documentary Tutus and Town Halls, to be broadcast on TVOne.

For further information:
Jo Tyndall
Chief Executive
NZ On Air
Tel: (04) 382 9524
The media release is available on the Internet, at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

Ghosts $200,000
8 x half hour programmes
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: Jill Graham

Tutus and Town Halls $114,000
1 x 1 hour
Broadcaster: TVOne
Producer: Allan Smith, Gary Scott, Gibson Group

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