I had been taking advantage of what looked to be essentially the first day of summer. Lounging about like a lizard really did suit me. I peeled myself off the mattress and got ready for Day 5 of the Tauranga Arts Fest.
Outfit: Black Grecian maxi dress
Shoes: Cute summery wedges
Once again, I made it just in the nick of time as a small collection of people gathered around the outside of The Salon on The Strand. All I knew was that this intimate show meant an exclusive audience. Upon following Greg the Director down the hidden alleyway and into the back entrance, I knew that this play was going to be something special as the show had unexpectedly begun while we were waiting to enter the premises.
I cannot expose too much about this thought-provoking piece of theatre as revealing too many secrets would be like an un-wrapped gift under the Christmas tree. You walk in feeling like a customer and leave feeling like you had privately witnessed the juiciest piece of gossip. It's a personal test of character as to whether you would expose what you'd seen. I cannot wait to see The Hotel and watch what unfolds next.
I left for the next show feeling like I had been strangely enlightened and gaining a brain cell or two. Which is very fortunate as I had usurped a few the previous evening in the form of a beer glass.
As I sat and tapped away in the foyer at Baycourt waiting for Berlin Burlesque to begin, the gathering group were greeted by stilt-walkers. Not just any stilt-walkers – splits perfoming, piggy-backing, handstand pulling stilt-walkers. Wow. My flatmate Fee had caught the tail end of it as she had endeavoured to arrive on time due to locking herself out of the house.
We were welcomed by a smokey theatre, completely transformed since the last time I had been there (just 3 nights previous). As the lights dimmed, I pictured that this was what a London stage show would be like. The set was glorious. It was essentially a cleverly crafted circus with a menagerie of illusion, strength, grace, interaction, risque humour, sexy vocals, music, body tricks and glitzy costumes in a visually stimmualting experience. I think I strained my neck from shaking it in awe of what the cast could actually do. Fee had clearly forgotten about her window jumping escapade, as she sat with her jaw dropped. And when I wasn’t wide-eyed, I was full heartedly belly laughing.
We left as the final hurrah was taking place, as we had to flee down to the next show. As we picked up our heels, the sound of Julia Deans & Anna Coddington grabbed us and pulled us toward the Pacific Crystal Palace. We snuck in to join our flatmates in a booth, when I learnt that you cannot possibly quietly creep in wearing heels.
It was essentially a great girl’s night out with melodic lullabies rocking me into a state of relaxation. A complete contrast from where we had just come. Dean and Coddington’s earthy lyrics capturing relatable moments of every day life. I completely succumbed to ‘Clandestine’ as I melted into the booth seat. It was the cream cheese icing on what had been a run of three entirely amazing shows and great to share with friends.
If it’s not sold out already, do see Berlin Burlesque’s final show tonight 7pm at Baycourt.
The Salon is on tonight through to Saturday with 2 shows per evening. The sequel ‘The Hotel’ is also on tonight through to Saturday with 2 shows per evening.
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