The Star: March 22, 2018

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20 Thursday March 22 2018 Theatre/Arts Wicked percussionist heard but not seen • By Georgia O’Connor-Harding CRAIG GIVEN has never had the desire to soak up the spotlight and perform on stage. Instead you will find the percussionist hidden away in the dark orchestra pit of a theatre juggling a spectrum of quirky instruments. “We have got to blend into the background, we have to be invisible, which is quite impossible when you are waving you arms all over the place,” he said. Next month, Given, 39, will take on what is both a percussionist’s dream and nightmare, playing nearly 60 instruments in Wicked, Showbiz Christchurch’s first production of the year. Wicked is one of the largest grossing musicals in Broadway history and tells the back story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Although Given has been playing percussion for Showbiz for more than 20 years, he said Wicked is one of the highlights of his musical career. “There is so much diversity in the music . . . it ebbs and flows. There is African influences, orchestral and jazz – all sorts of different stylistic pieces,” he said. STRANGE SOUNDS: Percussionist Craig Given with a waterphone, one of the strangest instruments he will play in Showbiz Christchurch’s production of Wicked. Finding the instruments required to create the thematic music has been as much of a challenge as playing it. For many of the instruments, Given has either had to track them down from overseas or build them himself. Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi “I have had to make a few instruments; there is one called a bird-flapper, which is sections of bolts glued together which represents the sounds of birds flapping,” he said. Other unique instruments which did not exist or had to be tracked down overseas included a bell plate, trine, talking drum, nut-shaker and wand. Given said some of the music ranges from very earthy to high, sparkly sounds. One of the strangest instruments used to represent The Star a character in the show is the waterphone, which is often used in horror films. “It is a bizarre instrument – you have probably heard nothing else like it,” Given said. He has been looking for the instruments and preparing for the show since December. Given said while living in New Zealand means performers are exposed to a bunch of shows, it is also difficult because the country is isolated. “I’ve talked to guys overseas in Broadway and doing productions in America and got a lot of photos and videos from them to help research and fabricate the instruments,” he said. As for playing the music, Given said the most difficult part is the choreography of getting from one instrument to the next. “If you have a moment of inattention, you will get yourself into all sorts of trouble,” he said. Given said he is looking forward to passing his knowledge about the instruments onto other percussionists as the show is performed by companies around New Zealand. •Wicked opens on April 6 at the Isaac Theatre Royal. To book tickets, go to https://www.showbiz.org.nz Letterbox Advertising Flyers and Newspaper Inserts DESIGN We offer professional design services. PRINT We print your gloss mailers and letterbox flyers. Delivery Canterbury wide coverage or targeted zone deliveries. FREE QUOTES Contact: Michaela Malloch P: (03) 379 7100 or 021 932 177 E: michaela.malloch@starmedia.kiwi Teacher's Scotch Whisky 1 Litre Church Road 750ml (excl McDonald Series & Reserve) Seagers Gin or Ivanov Vodka 1 Litre St-Rémy VSOP Brandy 1 Litre Bacardi Carta Blanca or Oakheart Rum 1 Litre Jim Beam White Label Bourbon 1.125 Litre Jameson Irish Whiskey 1 Litre Jim Beam White 440ml 4 Pack Cans 33 .99 each 14 .99 each 29 .99 each Vodka Cruiser 5% 275ml 12 Pack Bottles or KGB 7% 250ml 12 Pack Cans 37 .99 each Billy Maverick 7% 250ml 12 Pack Cans 39 .99 each Jim Beam Gold 7% or Canadian Club 7% 250ml 12 Pack Cans 41 .99 each Heineken 330ml 15 Pack Bottles Glenlivet Founder's Reserve 700ml 54 .99 each 46 .99 each DB Export Gold, Draught or Tui 330ml 24 Pack Bottles 9 .99 pack Steinlager Classic 330ml 24 Pack Bottles Woodstock 5% 330ml 18 Pack Bottles or Cody's 7% 250ml 18 Pack Cans Speight's Gold Medal Ale or Summit Lager 330ml 15 Pack Bottles 20 .99 pack 21 .99 pack 21 .99 pack 29 .99 pack 33 .99 pack 39 .99 pack 29 .99 pack 23 .99 pack Collect Fly Buys or Airpoints for every $20 spent. www.henrys.co.nz CHRISTCHURCH: AVONHEAD • BARBADOES ST • BISHOPDALE • HOMEBASE SHIRLEY • HORNBY • MOORHOUSE AVE • PARKLANDS • ROLLESTON • TOWER JUNCTION • WOOLSTON • YALDHURST • TIMARU: HIGHFIELD MALL • NORTHTOWN MALL • RANGIORA • KAIKOURA • GREYMOUTH • QUEENSTOWN • CROMWELL • ALEXANDRA • DUNEDIN • NELSON: RICHMOND Henry’s encourages safe & responsible use of alcohol. Shout prices run from Monday 12th March until Sunday 25th March 2018 or while stocks last.
Co lections Look up Messages Information The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday March 22 2018 21 Some waste shouldn’t go into wheelie bins. Drop ‘em off at an EcoDrop for free. Download the Christchurch Wheelie Bins App for useful disposal information. RED GREEN YELLOW DROP For more information visit ccc.govt.nz/disposal
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The Star: March 22, 2018

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