Theatre festival offers participation

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 9

Theatre festival offers participation

Christchurch’s second Festival of Fringe Theatre will begin at the Arts Centre today. Participators and the public can look forward to a week of clowning, juggling, unicycling, fireeating, and performing as 10 tutors put students through their paces. More than 100 people have paid $l5O for hours of tuition in fringe theatre. They will have workshops, lunchtime skill sharing sessions, and the chance to perform as well as the opportunity to see their tutors give public concerts. For the public the evening concerts at the Great Hall and the free lunchtime sessions offer the chance to watch and par-

ticipate. Performing is an integral part of the festival. Most tutors will give at least one performance. .

The first, this evening, is by the king of the Fools, Jango Edwards, who is coming to New Zealand especially for the festival. He has become a world renowned figure in clowning circles and is now based at Amsterdam. He is the creator of the International Festival of Fools, and has entertained heads of State. He is also an author, teacher, playwright, composer, and recording artist. Other tutors are Jonathan Acorn, Mime River, Chris Began, Francis Batten, Richard Moss, Jamie Bull, Brigid Grant, Michelle Hine, and Bruce Robertson. The evening concerts are at 8 p.m. The lunchtime skills sessions begin at 12.30 p.m.