Festival of Colour - Day Four

Lake Wanaka turned French today with accordion players on the street, café owners and shop staff dressed å la francais, served French food and in the evening crowded into the world premiere of Le Sud, the new political satire by renowned playwright, Dave Armstrong. Received to rapturous applause and hilarious laughter, it was declared a resounding success with all three shows at the Festival sold out.

Earlier in the day, audiences in the Infinity Crystal Palace were gripped by two Aspiring Conversations sessions from foreign correspondent, Christina Lamb. The first session saw her discuss the political situations in Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Afganistan. In her eyes Zimbabwe is the most heartbreaking story she has ever covered, watching it turn to ruin from one of the most affluent and educated African countries while she considered Pakistan the most dangerous country in the world. Her first hand account of the Bhutto bus bomb was compelling.

Her second session focused on her experience as a war reporter and again she astounded the audience with her stories of sheer bravery in her commitment to get the story told. “Sometimes I wonder if people really care – my job is to make them care and to give them some understanding of what’s happening out there. I try and talk to the people behind the lines, trying to get on with everyday life; to feed, clothe and educate their children – they are the heroes, not those fighting on the front line.”

The touring programme saw the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra in Arrowtown, Strange Resting Places in Glenorchy, the New Zealand Army Dance Band in Clyde and Witches Over Wanaka in the Masonic Lodge while the day closed with performances from SJD and a late night session from Michel Tuffery and DJ Anton Carter with Waves of Laughter.

The Festival of Colour continues until 3 May 2009 with tickets still available for a number of shows and is generously supported by Central Lakes Trust, The Community Trust of Otago, Creative New Zealand, Infinity Investment Group, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Aurora. For further information and ticket sales visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz