Writing a musical fosters friendship

on what would work musically. Tom had to learn to assert himself, joking that “Aedan is not a musical person and I found that out really quickly”.

WHAT’S ON @ Devonport Library

Aedan Ward and Tom Talbot barely knew each other when they started collaborating on a musical. Now they have an easy camaraderie forged from working hard on the project since last year.

Maria Teape Community Coordinator

445 9533 | maria@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

Ma - nawatia a Matariki

The stars shine bright over Te Hau Kapua, Devonport as we celebrate Matariki together. We enjoy seeing you at our free library and community events. One special Matariki event focuses on gratitude and finding moments of it every day. We appreciate and celebrate you, this beautiful place and its community.

SUNDAY 16TH JULY 2PM–3PM

Hira Nathan will share the personal story that led to his stunning new book Whakawhetai, a Gratitude Journal with a bilingual focus. Hira and Dave Veart on will open our eyes to ways of thinking about how gratitude supports our health and wellbeing.

SUNDAY 23RD JULY 2PM–3PM

Wendy Hampton (former property lawyer) will run a session discussing the basics of estate planning for all.

TUESDAY 25TH JULY 7PM

Dame Claudia Orange and Kaumatua Danny Watson on the Treaty of Waitangi and Co-Governance. A DLA event.

SUNDAY 30TH JULY 2PM-3PM

Wendy Hampton will present her book First Home Buyers Guide, insights for anyone taking their first step onto the property ladder.

SUNDAYS 1PM–2PM

Navy historian Michael Wynd, is back to share his expertise on family history with a military focus. Do you have a soldier, sailor relative you want to track down?

TUESDAY 18TH JULY 10AM–1PM

Citizens Advice Bureau are back to confidentially answer your questions about budgeting, tenancy, employment and neighbourly matters.

THURSDAYS 10AM–11AM

Auckland Transport representatives visit the library so you can pop in for more information on the current Devonport roading and parking changes.

See you at Windsor Reserve on Saturday 15th July for an evening of festivities, food and kapa haka. Look closely and you may even see a library staff member on stage.

The two senior Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) students are in final rehearsals during their school holidays for Golden Screens, a musical comedy that opens at the Rose Centre in Belmont for a four-night season from Tuesday 18 July.

Like the boys, it’s ambitious and smart. Featuring a thought-provoking script by Aedan and swinging music by Tom, it is centred around television actors and their off-screen travails. The production has a cast of 14, aged 16 to 25, which was assembled in February, and a fourpiece band. Many of the personnel are fellow TGS students.

The creators – encouraged by international singer and vocal teacher Patrick Kelly, who is directing the show – have polished the work to the point they are reasonably relaxed.

“I think with theatre it’s never completely there, but I’ve been told by many directors that it comes together on show week,” says Aedan.

Tom is keen to further refine a few songs, but agrees that the hardest work was early on, when the two had to forge a working relationship.

Devonport-raised Aedan, who is in Year 13 and has a background in stand-up comedy, has always been a keen writer. He had a clear vision for Golden Screens and its lyrics, but had to learn to trust Year 12 Tom’s judgement

“At the start it was quite difficult,” admits Aedan. “I was very protective of what was in my head.” But he soon came to appreciate Tom’s composition skills. “He did one song that was so amazing,” explains Aedan, on how he relaxed into the collaboration.

Tom had to resist rewriting lyrics and focus on the music, but as their confidence in each other grew, they traded ideas.

What followed was a total of around 20 pieces of music: 10 original songs plus reprised versions and linking tunes.

A friendship has also resulted, although Aedan says: “We have quite different lives outside work.”

Tom grew up in Hauraki, playing piano and clarinet, and is a member of the West City Youth Concert Band. He is also in two TGS choirs: Sultans of Swing as head chorister, and Chorale. From playing instruments, he grew into the technical allure of composing.

The challenge of a musical appealed, and working on it has helped confirm his keenness to study composition at university. “I can’t see myself doing anything other than music,” he says.

For Aedan, study in directing and writing appeals, for film or theatre.

It is only now, looking back, that the pair realise how much time Golden Screens has taken, fitted in around their studies. “I have no clue how I did it all,” says Aedan.

“It was hundreds, maybe thousands of hours,” says Tom. This included getting up at 5am and going to bed late, along with rehearsing two times a week and again with the band.

They each stand to pick up some extra NCEA credits for their efforts. They have also established impressive performing-arts CVs for their age.

It is now over to the audience to provide the final validation. They hope locals will book in for an evening. “A nice after-party would be good,” adds Tom.

The cast would no doubt agree. It includes Maui Hitchens, James Cassidy, Charlotte Kelly, Seamus Leathley, Sophie Spooner, Raine Gilchrist, Gemma Leathley, Daniella Ramos, Heloise Phillip Smith, Sahra Leybourne, William Kelly, George Zhang, Reece Thomas and Annie Hughes.

• Golden Screens, at the Rose Centre, 18-21 July at 7.30pm. Tickets, $25, and $15 for students, through iticket.co.nz.