Auckland’s threat

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 18

Auckland’s threat

When plans for Auckland’s Aotea Centre were announced, Michael Maxwell, director of the International Festival of the Arts, rang Dame Cath Tizard to congratulate her. “I imagine I’m the first from Wellington to congratulate you,” he said. “You are,” Dame Cath replied. “And in 1990 we are going to take your festival away from you.” That, says Mr Maxwell, is impossible. The International Festival of the Arts is firmly rooted in Wellington. It was the brainchild of the Wellington City Council and is run by an incorporated trust. The people of the city of Wellington are right behind it “I think it would be great if Auckland or Christchurch had a

festival, but why not in the odd years. Wellington will definitely keep its festival.” Mr Maxwell’s own contract as director, does not expire until after the 1988 festival and planning has already begun for two years hence. Some of the performers and events not possible for 1986 may appear in 1988. But Mr Maxwell says the direction of the 1988 festival will be different from its predecessor. This year the emphasis is on music. While Wellington is quite selfish in wanting to retain the festival, which will have many ' spin offs for the community, it is not a festival just for Wellingtonians. Nor is it a festival for the rich. With the exception of the . Sutherland performances and

the Design Awards, prices have J been kept to $25 or less. Twenty < thousand tickets to 55 events * had been sold by mid-January. i

“It is a festival in Wellington ’ for New Zealanders,” Mr Max- •• well says. “We . have not .'mar- ’ keted it overseas because the > accommodation here could not ~ have coped.”

As it is 75 people are coming from New York, some from New Guinea, and more from Sydney,, where the festival has an agent

Those who have joined the Friends of the Festival organisation will have no trouble with accommodation. Six hundred rooms are available in Wellington for billets for Friends.