A Ballet that Builds a House

The people the helped build Jack's House

An old children's rhyme gets a re-write for dance in the New Zealand School of Dance production of 'The House that Jack Built'.

This year, first year students took inspiration from a book illustrated by Gavin Bishop which looks at the old tale in a New Zealand light.

Performances from all students , but especially 'the dog that worried the cat' (Victoria Colombus) 'the priest all shaven and shorn' (Robert Mills) and a bunch of lively sailors, should have the kids rolling on the floor. Other segments of the production touch on New Zealand colonisation and even land wars briefly.

The accompaning music, compiled by Bret McKenzie, shifts between traditional songs, country hoe-downs and New Zealand electronica.

Twelve local schools will get the chance to see some of our future dancing stars in action over the next few weeks, and the young or young at

Public shows are on Friday 10th November, 6pm; Saturday 11th November, 1pm and 6pm, and Wednesday 15th November, 6pm at Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Rd, Road (old showground buildings) in Newtown.

By Emma Philpott

Cost: $7 adults, $4 children.

© Scoop Media