Arts in brief

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 16

Arts in brief

Full-length ballet

The Southern Ballet's junior company will stage its first full-length ballet from November 5 to 9.

According to the Southern Ballet’s founder and diiector. Miss Lorraine Peters, it is also the first full production staged by either the senior or junior company in the ballet’s new theatre in the Arts Centre.

About 36 youngsters, aged from 10 to 13 years, are involved in the production of “The Stone Flower,” w’hich is based on a Russian fairvtale.

The story, which is set over five scenes, tells of a young boy. Danilo, who is trying, to create a perfect flower to put in a vase he has made.

But only the Mistress of the Copper Mountain holds the secrets of the perfect or stone flower, and Danilo sets off in search of her

The company has been putting the production together since June — working it around the youngsters’ ballet exams.

The junior company, who rehearse five times a week, have devoted their Saturday and Wednesday sessions to the production.

As well as "The Stone Flower." the senior company, along with the rest of the school, is preparing for “The Nutcracker" which will be staged in late November, under artistic director. Russell Kerr.

Riccarton season

The Riccarton Players have chosen two one-act women’s plays for their November season at the Wharenui Theatre, in Matipo Street.

The plays are "After Midnight — Before Dawn.” by David Campton, and "Rites." by Maureen Duffy. Both plays will be directed by Doug Clarke and the season will run from November 10 to 13. "After Midnight — Before Dawn” has a cast of six

women characters who are awaiting death having been sentenced for witchcraft. "Riles" has a cast of 11 women characters. The play is a black farce and is a

modernised analogy of the Greek play "The Bacchae." Six of the group’s actresses appear in both plays. The two works will be the last major productions staged at the school site as plans for remodelling and converting part of the Old Mill complex, in Wise Street, are underwav.

Clef Club concert

Members of the Christchurch Clef Music Club will give a gala concert to benefit the Methodist Central Mission's Fairhaven community, at the Civic Theatre tomorrow at 8 p.m.

All proceeds from the concert will be given to the Fairhaven community as part of the music club's contribution to the Year of the Aged.

The variety concert will feature light entertainment

through to classical music. About 25 members of the club will perform solos, duets, trios, quartets, and as a choir. Guest artists will include the Cecilian Singers conducted by Nan Anderson; Pamela Keightley, flute, Gilbert Wiberg, tenor, and the □bourne Trio, comprising Catherine Rowe. violin. Simon Barrett, cello and Simone Dumble. piano. The guest compere will be Wallace Woodley.

C.S.I.M. open day

The Christchurch School of Instrumental Music will hold its annual open day on Saturday. Always popular, it allows prospective parents to attend rehearsals and classes. Now in its 28th year, the C.S.I.M. is an important link in the educational chain leading to adult orchestras in Ctiristchurch. The open day will show the. public what goes on each

Saturday morning at the Arts Centre. Hagley High School (the violin school), and the Knox Church Hall (the recorder school). A programme has been organised from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., so visitors can sit in on orchestral rehearsals and class lessons. The assembly point for tours is the soqfh quadrangle of the Ans Centre, outside the Observatory Block, just in from Hereford Street.