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VAL DEAKIN DANCE THEATRE

63 Messenger Terrace, Oakura, Taranaki
Phone: 64 6 752 7743
Email: val@valdeakindance.org.nz

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Tubby Tunes Up Again!!

"Who ever heard of a tuba playing a melody?" A good question, but the very resourceful Tubby the Tuba has the right answer. Just what the right answer is can be enjoyed by those who attend performances of Tubby the Tuba being presented by the Val Deakin Dance Theatre Trust. Twenty-two performers of various ages will take the stage at the Dance Centre (306 St Aubyn Street) for the performances on September 30, October 1 and October 2. The story has been chosen because it is consistent with the Trust's policy of presenting dance, mime and music of a high standard. The narrated story depicts characters drawn from musical instruments, such as Peppo the Piccolo, and includes a friendly Bullfrog. The second part of the show features favourite circus characters including clowns and waltzing elephants.

Hours of preparation and rehearsal have gone into the production. One of the more difficult jobs was the construction of enormous head pieces for some of the leading characters. Inge Vink takes the part of Tubby and will bring her experience of many years performing with the Dance Theatre to the role. She performed most recently in the Dance Theatre's Taranaki Tour of Peter and the Wolf, playing a delightfully dumb duck.

Donna Kelly, a bright and experienced performer, will be taking the part of the Spanish horse trainer and Jane Roseman will be nimble-footed as the Tightrope Walker. Some of the experienced dancers in the cast include Laura Sommerville, Catherine Donlon, Davina Moffat, Julie Gillespie and Jodie Leach. Other newer members of the Dance Theatre appearing will be Caroline Weston (recently seen as Peter in Peter and the Wolf), Kaye West, Eila Stevenson, Mandy Madden and as orchestral conductors David Hadley and Kevin Wood. Junior members of the cast include Satsuki Yorifuji, Alyssa Barnes, Bailee Hitchcock, Thomas Hadley, Olive Salisbury, Angela Spurdle and Zoe Cooper.

Prices for tickets are $7 for children and $10 for adults with group and family discounts available. Tickets can be obtained from cast members, from the Dance Centre or by phoning (06)752 7743 (after 9:30 am)

Performances are:

Friday, September 30 at 10 am, 11 am and 6 pm
Saturday, October 1 at 11 am and 1 pm
Sunday, October 2 at 11 am and 1 pm

The Val Deakin Dance Theatre Trust presented The Nutcracker Suite (Act II of The Nutcracker Ballet) to sold-out audiences at the Dance Centre (306 St Aubyn Street) in December.

This very popular Christmas story ballet has delighted audiences worldwide since it was first performed in Russia in 1892. It is the story of a young girl's journey to the Land of the Sweets where she meets and is entertained by dancers who represent various drinks and sweets including the Sugarplum Fairy, Russian bon bons, Chinese tea, Arabian coffee and the marzipan Mirlitons.

The DANCE CENTRE was transformed into a magical and intimate theatre presenting an exciting live dance experience to the wonderful and tuneful music of Tchaikowsky. The cast of 35 was led by ballerina Jane Roseman taking the part of the Sugarplum Fairy.

Other experienced cast members dancing in the show included Donna Kelly (Spanish chocolate dancer), Inge Vink (delicious marzipan Mirlitons), Rosanne Taylor (a sultry Arabian coffee dancer), April Krijger (a very funny Mother Ginger) and Kristina Rodgers (a Russian bon bon dancer) Lots of delightful and delicious dances!