River travels South Island tourist circuit

Press, 22 August 1984, Page 20

River travels South Island tourist circuit

Nelson’s itinerant fool, River, will start a South Island tour this month. Born, in Michigan, Michael Lynch has performed extensively throughout Europe. He is a mime, juggler, fire-eater, and comedian. In successive tours of Sweden and Denmark he perfected the concept of the “Go Anywhere Show,” performing in nightclubs, schools, on the street corner and in the theatre, in churches and on television. Now based in Nelson he travels infrequently, often entertaining conference groups and conventions in his home town. He performed in Christchurch as part of the Christchurch Festival. Mr Lynch performs under the name River. His act has been described thus: River reveals the foibles, fads and fanta-

sies of the human animal He provides, through comic sketches and an intimate dialogue with the audience, a performance rich in humour. He speaks a universal body language accessible to people of all ages and persuasions. River is assisted by the Queen Elizabeth H Arts Council, the Southern Regional Arts Council and Budget Rent-a-Car on a “pilot tour” throughout the South Island. This “pilot tour” is designed to develop a relationship between New Zealandbased performing and visual artists and the tourist hotel circuit. He will perform in several locations throughout the South Island including Akaroa, Darfield, Methven, Timaru, Hokitika, Greymouth and Blenheim. The tour starts in Akaroa on August 28.