Cityscape Issue 07 March 2018 by SOMO Creative

YOUR MONTHLY FIX

CHRISTCHURCH CURATED DEATH BECOMES HIM Catching up with opera superstar Teddy Tahu Rhodes ahead of Tosca

SCREEN QUEEN

MAR 2018

At the flicks with film junkie and French Film Festival patron Kate Rodger

THE NEW LOOK WORKSHOP Cutting-edge fashion meets art, architecture and design at Workshop

CITYSCAPE MONTHLY March 2018 Issue 07

CONTENTS

March 2018 In this issue

CEO/Director Andrea Rickerby Editor Isaac Wilson Sub Editor Ben Allan Editorial Assistant Jessica Wells Creative Tristan Brehaut Account Manager Derek Thorp Accounts Administrator Claire Ross NEED TO GET IN TOUCH? Editorial and Advertising Enquiries: 03 366 3340 info@somocreative.co.nz www.cityscape.co.nz

PUBLISHED BY

SOMO Creative Ltd PO Box 13 717 Christchurch Cityscape is a division of SOMO Creative Ltd. Cityscape is subject to copyright in its entirety. Opinions expressed in Cityscape are not necessarily those of Cityscape. Editorial contributions welcome. No responsibility taken for unsolicited submissions. Prizewinners will be notified by phone and email. If Cityscape is unable to contact the winner within 14 days, Cityscape reserves the right to draw another winner. Cityscape reserves the right to use image/ name of competition entrants for publicity purposes. International Standard Serial Number ISSN 2537-933X print, ISSN 2537-9348 online

07 14 21 24 30 Download the Cityscape App and join our digital community for lovers of style, food, music, lifestyle, travel, beauty and culture! ON THE COVER

TEDDY TAHU RHODES We catch up with former Christchurch lad turned international opera megastar and booming baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who plays bad guy Scarpia in New Zealand Opera’s Tosca in the city this month. Check out our Q&A on page 38. cityscape.christchurch

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04 NEWSFEED Tip-offs, trends and more. 08 FLEXI TIME Road testing fascial stretching. 09 STYLE FILES What’s hot this month. 10 CULTURE CALENDAR March’s highlights. 14 SCREEN QUEEN French Film Fest’s Kate Rodger. 21 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA Tosca comes to town. 24 THE NEW LOOK WORKSHOP Art, architecture and fashion collide at Workshop. 28 TAKING OFF Off & On’s Nicky Shore. 30 HAND SIGNALS Anderson & Roe – Piano Duo. 32 ENTERTAIN ME Film, music and books. 34 FOOD & DRINK Eating and drinking in the city. 37 NORTHERN EXPOSURE The North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival. 38 THE LAST WORD Tosca’s Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

Newsfeed

TIP-OFFS, TRENDS & MORE

Brothers In Arms

Melbourne four-piece The Teskey Brothers are making a big splash on the blues scene. They stunned last year with their debut album, Half Mile Harvest, and listening to front man Josh Teskey’s smoked-whiskey voice over the band’s dynamite and heartfelt Motown-esque melodies, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d time travelled to Memphis circa 1967. After an impressive sold-out stint playing across Australia, the US and the UK, the brothers are performing at Blue Smoke – a venue that so aptly fits the aesthetic of the band. Blue Smoke, Mar 3, theteskeybrothers.com

GET YOUR KICKS

Happy Days

ON THE CHARGE Orana Wildlife Park’s rhino herd (including Tino, pictured, who turned 3 last month) will be getting a swanked-up new enclosure following the Park joining The Australian Rhino Project, Zoos South Australia and the Taronga Conservation Society in the fight to ensure the conservation and survival of the world’s rhino population. The partnership will see the Park working to strengthen the genetics of the Australasian population, housing more animals, and quarantining Aussie bound rhinos, as well as building an insurance population outside Africa.

Image: Aimee Cane Photography

The brand-new-nostalgia of the classic 50s and 60s Americana Diner 66 has been tantalising for months now with talk of their food and drink, which includes classic burgers, hot dogs, fries, specialty desserts and no fewer than 38 types of milkshake (including 8 separate chocolate varieties!) – and as you can see, they’ve absolutely nailed the look on the fit-out as well. They were about to open as we went to print, and no doubt you’ll be thinking of heading in to check them out. So a heads up: if you’re driving a car made before 1975 or have got a group with motorbikes, you can pre-book their two reserved car parks right outside. Told you they were taking the look seriously! diner66.co.nz TO MARKET The hot shopping date that is The Tannery’s popular Market Day rolls around again this month with their Autumn Market (Mar 17). Take advantage of the end of season sales and promotions on offer across a wide range of boutique retailers, with everything from fashion to homewares on the sale tables lining the emporium, and in-store specials aplenty. Enjoy live music, meet local designers and craftspeople and grab a bite to eat from the convoy of food trucks on-site. thetannery.co.nz

Google Us Cityscape’s more than just the sweet print mag you’ve got in your hand; read online at cityscape.co.nz and download the Cityscape App at Google Play or the App Store. 04

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ACA-SCUSE ME? Founded by Christchurch-born Stephen Taberner and hailing mostly from the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, The Spooky Men’s Chorale have made a bit of a name for themselves with their genre-bending and amusing acapella at festivals and shows worldwide. Describing themselves as “half serious men’s choir and half choral pranksters” and as having created “a manifesto for the new breed of man: happily suspended between thug and wimp”, the Chorale are hitting The Piano as part of a tour that sees them returning to New Zealand for the first time since 2012. Commentating on the absurdity and grandeur of the modern male via their own songs (such as ‘Don’t Stand Between a Man and His Tool’) in a variety of styles that runs from disco to dervish; renaissance to rock ‘n’ roll; and gospel to goodness knows what else, the Chorale invites their audiences to joyously endure a wall of mansound and get into a fair bit of laughing stupidly, with some surprising tenderness served up on the side as well. With nearly two decades of tour performances, over 500 gigs, and 6 studio albums under their underwear waistbands, the Spooky Men are famous for rollicking shows that promise a little bit of everything for anyone that loves music, comedy, or blokes. The Spooky Men’s Chorale, The Piano, Mar 24, spookymen.com

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PLAYING THE FIELD

It’s time to glam up, swill champers and stomp some divots as Heineken’s Urban Polo event finally hits the 03 after previously selling out Auckland and Wellington last year. This big day-and-evening out sees the fillies and their riders head to North Hagley Park (Mar 3) for three adrenaline-filled 30-minute polo games between top-class international players, spread over an afternoon and evening that’s also heaped high with live music, off-field entertainment and plenty of eating and drinking in a summer party atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to pull on their summery gladrags and get into the proper equestrian swing of things. Enticing hospitality suites are also on offer at this exciting R18 event that seems like it’s set to borrow a little bit of Cup and Show Week’s winning combination of horses, high fashion and good times; how Christchurch is that? urbanpolo.co.nz BESPOKE TAILORING

SUPER CRANE BROS. A two-year project has come to fruition with the opening of the new Christchurch store for premiere contemporary New Zealand menswear retailer Crane Brothers. Housed in the lovingly restored Midlands Club – a.k.a the old Café Roma building – at 176 Oxford Terrace, the store joins existing shops in Auckland, Wellington, and Sydney, and sees Geraldine-born label founder Murray Crane realise a long-held dream of returning to his Canterbury roots. It’s good news for the city’s discerning menswear fans, with the opening of the heritage space finally giving us easy access to Crane Brother’s range of suits, shirts, business casualwear and accessories, with each of the masterfully tailored garments backed by the brand’s triple pillars of value, quality and longevity. crane-brothers.com

Keep (on) Rollin’

1999: Family Guy hits television, The Blair Witch Project was a surprise hit, and Limp Bizkit’s ‘Nookie’ was inescapable, storming up the charts all over the world. “Aside from the infantile lyrics, the awful rapping, and the yelling, it’s really not that bad of a song”, observed influential music site Stereogum a few years later, but Fred Durst and co probably weren’t too fussed; they were busy selling 40 million records worldwide off the back of this and other big hits like ‘Rollin’’, ‘My Way’, ‘Behind Blue Eyes’, ‘Take A Look Around’, and ‘My Generation’. Still on the road nearly two decades later, the influential rap-rock/nu-metal group are back in New Zealand for the first time in 16 years this month, playing their first ever South Island gig at Horncastle Arena. Put your cap on backwards and travel back in time to when we were all worried that the Millennium Bug was gonna kill us all. Limp Bizkit, Horncastle Arena, Mar 19, stormthegates.co.nz

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Aloha!

Can I Be Blunt? Probably the only singer-songwriter working today to have possibly prevented World War III (look it up), former British Army soldier James Blunt hit it big with his debut album Back To Bedlam. Released in 2004 – two years after he’d hung up his rifle – the album rocketed up charts worldwide off the back of hits like ‘Goodbye My Lover’ and ubiquitous earworm ‘You’re Beautiful’.

Having racked up some 20 million album sales, two Brit awards, 5 Grammy nominations, and revealed something of a talent for wryly self-deprecating humour over the years (check out his Twitter account!), the soldier-turned-singer brings his new album tour to town this month. James Blunt – The Afterlove Tour, Horncastle Arena, Mar 8, jamesblunt.com

Breakfast and lunch is healthy, tasty and fresh at The Crossing’s brand new poke bar, Piki Poke. The South Island’s first dedicated poke store lets you build your very own, super-fresh customised version of the traditional Hawaiian marinated fish salad. If you’re in from 7:30am – 10:30am, you can make it a granola instead with a breakfast bowl. An appropriately Hawaiian theme and little touches like bottomless Kona Coffee – just like they drink on the Big Island – help to inject a welcome bit of the tropics into your day! FB/pikipokebowls

DON’T MISS It’s your last chance to catch The Arts Centre’s Outdoor Cinema experience this summer, with the back-to-back screening of two Kiwi-connected classics, Moana (6pm) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (8pm) on Friday, Mar 9 – don’t forget that gold coin donation!

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restraints, and Liv instructs me to relax as she begins stretching the lower half of my body. “Be like a jellyfish,” she says, “Your legs belong to me now.” She manoeuvres my legs in all directions, rotating and manipulating joints, and wrangling my body into stretches and postures I never knew my body could make. It feels like an epic workout, and while there’s some slight discomfort with some of the more elaborate stretches that are new to my body, it’s a pain-free and blissful disconnect. By the time Barry tags in to stretch my upper body, I’m well on the way to Zensville. Having worked my entire body, the treatment reaches its crescendo with a frissoninducing neck stretch. Groggy, spent and deliriously euphoric, I ease myself up on the table, and after a few moments to pull myself (somewhat) together, Barry takes me through a ‘body reset’. I feel taller, leaner and there’s literally zero tension in my body. What’s more I’m super-connected and aware of my movements, while a niggling, 30-year-old injury that’s restricted the movement of the toes on my right foot is seemingly reversed – said digits are now able to pick up a pencil off the floor. The next day (following one of the best sleeps ever) some handy ‘homework’ pops up in my inbox – tips on whipping that errant core into shape. I don’t want to say FST might have changed my entire life, but … restoreprehab.co.nz REVIEW

FLEXI TIME Cityscape road tests the professional and elite-athlete endorsed Fascial Stretch Therapy at Restore Prehabilitation & Recovery for a life-changing experience. I can hear a voice somewhere in the distance and can feel my body going through some intricate manipulations, but I’m miles away. It’s not that I’m relaxed; it’s that I’m so relaxed I feel I could be on the precipice of a glorious coma-like transcendence. Welcome to the world of Fascial Stretch Therapy (or FST to those in the know). The go-to treatment for everyone from elite and professional athletes through to tightlywound corporates and anyone suffering mobility issues due to age, injury or illness, FST is like the love child of the best massage and yoga sessions you ever had. I bowl up to Restore Prehabilitation & Recovery tight through the shoulders and neck from long hours chained to the desk

following rolling end-of-year deadlines and lightly achy in the spine due to the heavy lifting of the homemade-railway-sleeperoutdoor-furniture-variety. I’m greeted by the visions of health that are Restore Prehabilitation & Recovery’s owners Barry Adams and Liv Bates, whose decadesspanning experience in the health and fitness industry, along with their own health issues, led them to the US-based Stretch to Win Institute. The pair, the South Island’s only Institute-trained and certified FST practitioners, explain what FST is: a stretching regime targeting the connective tissue – ‘fascia’, which surrounds muscles, bones, joints and organs – that regular stretching can’t reach. They then take me through a full-movement assessment (note to self – do more lateral core work) before the treatment itself. I lie down on the FST table, which is similar to a massage table but with elasticated leg

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Style Files Light Source

Extravagance meets elegance with the Brokis Knot Uovo, part of ChiaramonteMarin’s smoke grey pendant lighting range from ECC at KS Lighting. kslighting.co.nz

Not Just a Pretty Face

Time to step up your make-up? You’ll learn all the tips and tricks of the trade and receive invaluable practical advice from professionals in the industry with Ali McD Makeup School’s 8-week workshops. With a practical approach based around demonstration and application, and small class sizes ensuring that everyone gets one-on-one guidance in each two-hour session, the course is perfect for anyone looking to take their skills to pro level or begin their own career in the industry. alimcdschool.co.nz

BOTANICAL BEAUTY Combining a rich blend of nourishing nut oils with a refreshing scent courtesy of geranium leaf and citrus extracts, Aēsop’s Geranium Leaf Body Balm (RRP $47) from Seletti Concept Store provides exceptional hydration, softening skin with no greasy after-feel. Seletti Concept Store 9F Normans Road, Strowan

SHOE-IN

REFLECTION – HEMINGWAY DESIGN GIFTS, INTERIORS AND DESIGN

Shop at the Reflection store for a great range of gifts, furniture, art, home decor and much more besides. Perfect gifts for any occasion, both in store and online! 181 High Street 03 377 7872 hemingway.design

STENCIL IT IN

Hip fashion boutique Stencil brings its style clout to the city scene with the opening of their new store, which rocks their fierce designer street fashion faves and footwear. The 227a High Street location keeps good company with nearby boutiques Plume and World. FB/stencilstore

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THE GREAT REFORMER On Pointe Barre & Wellness Studio’s new small group reformer classes commit to quality; with 5 clients per class, you can expect plenty of attention over the 55 minute session as you work through contemporary and classical Pilates exercises for a full body workout. onpointenz.com

Image: Nayhauss

THE MONTH IN CULTURE TITUS ANDRONICUS THEATRE The Court brings us

Shakespeare’s most notoriously bloody, revenge-filled tragedy in a bold new production. The Court Theatre, Until Sat 3 Mar, courttheatre.org.nz

HEINEKEN URBAN POLO SPORT/FESTIVAL The popular

concept of live music, good food and a few chukkas that’s produced sold out events in Auckland and Wellington makes its way to the South Island for the first time. North Hagley Park, Sat 3 Mar, urbanpolo.co.nz

THE TESKEY BROTHERS LIVE MUSIC The Motown-

channelling Melbourne four-piece bring their raw combination of soul and blues to town following the release of debut album Half Mile Harvest. Blue Smoke, Sat 3 Mar, theteskeybrothers.com

SELWYN SOUNDS FESTIVAL The homegrown retro

music festival on Lincoln Domain returns for another year, this time headlined by Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes, who’s joined by The Feelers, Mental As Anything and more. Lincoln Domain, Sat 3 Mar, selwynsounds.co.nz

THE KING’S SINGERS – GOLD LIVE MUSIC Acclaimed masters

FOODIE HEAVEN

TAI TAPU SCULPTURE GARDEN 5TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION

CHRISTCHURCH MOTORWAY HALF MARATHON

EXHIBITION Permanent and

SPORT/FITNESS Hit a fast, traffic-

for-sale sculptural works by some of the country’s most prominent sculptors go on display to the public over three weekends. Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden, 3/4, 10/11, 17/18 Mar, taitapusculpturegarden.co.nz

free course through Canterbury Agricultural Park and along the motorway, with walking and kids options also available. Canterbury Agricultural Park, Sun 4 Mar, motorwayhalf.co.nz

LIVE MUSIC Incubus are back on

JAPAN DAY 2018 FESTIVAL A day to celebrate

Japanese culture and the local Japanese community, this year with the theme of the Japanese Summer, and including a tea ceremony, calligraphy, dance, music and a sumo tournament among other attractions. Riccarton Park Function Centre, Sun 4 Mar, japanday.jsc.org.nz

PASS2PUB MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE SPORT/FITNESS This family-

oriented bike race is set to appeal to all ages and abilities, starting at Burkes Pass and ending at the Albury Pub. Go flat out or simply enjoy taking part at your own leisurely pace. Albury, Mackenzie, Sun 4 Mar, pass2pub.com

INCUBUS our shores for the first time in six years with hits from their two-decade back catalogue as well as fresh drops from their new album, 8. Horncastle Arena, Wed 7 Mar, livenation.co.nz

of vocal harmony The King’s Singers join us for a mesmerising musical trip from the Renaissance to today. Charles Luney Auditorium, Thu 8 Mar, kingssingers.com

SIX60 WITH NICO & VINZ LIVE MUSIC Six60 team up with

Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz (making their way to NZ for the first time) for a big night of existing hits and new music. Horncastle Arena, Fri 9 Mar, six60.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH LANTERN FESTIVAL FESTIVAL The fun and spectacle

of the city’s biggest celebration of Chinese culture returns to Hagley Park with music, performance, dance, food and of course, many many lanterns! Hagley Park North, Sat 10/Sun 11 Mar, christchurchnz.com/events

NZO: TOSCA PERFORMANCE NZO brings us

their acclaimed and spectacular production of the dramatic Tosca, relocated to 1950s Italy and filled with love, lust, and political intrigue. Isaac Theatre Royal, Thu 8 – Fri 16 Mar, nzopera.com

JAMES BLUNT LIVE MUSIC The singer-

songwriter and former British army officer returns to New Zealand to woo fans with material old and new. Horncastle Arena, Thu 8 Mar, frontiertouring.com/jamesblunt

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BLACKCAPS V ENGLAND - 5TH ODI SPORT The summer of cricket

continues as the Black Caps take on the Poms in ODI action. Hagley Oval, Sat 10 Mar, blackcaps.co.nz

CULTURE GALORE FESTIVAL The annual

multicultural festival is back to celebrate our city’s diversity with food, arts and crafts, music and dance performances, and general good times. Ray Blank Park, Sat 10 Mar, ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events

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WHITE FERNS V WEST INDIES – 3RD ODI SPORT More cricketing action as

the White Ferns tackle the touring West Indians. Hagley Oval, Sun 11 Mar, nzc.nz/international/white-ferns

CHRISTCHURCH 10KM WALK/RUN SERIES FITNESS This summer-long

series of fun fitness events over different terrains concludes with the Road course. Central City, Sun 11 Mar, chch10km.co.nz

dealings you can throw at a JAFA, demonstrating a fool and their money are soon parted. The Court Theatre, Sat 17 Mar – Sat 14 Apr, courttheatre.org.nz

MANDERLEY HOME AND GARDEN FESTIVAL FESTIVAL The annual festival at

stately home Manderley returns for two days of 140 boutique stalls, eclectic entertainment, plus food, wine, and craft beer in pleasant surroundings. Manderley, Little River, Sat 17/ Sun 18 Mar, manderley.co.nz

NORTH CANTERBURY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

XRACE

FESTIVAL The country’s coolest

annual family adventure/ mystery race event pits grown-up-and-a-kid teams against 10 physical and mental challenges at their own pace. Halswell Quarry Park, Sat 17 Mar, xrace.co.nz

little wine festival celebrates the fantastic output of the Waipara wine region with food stalls, local wines and live music at the Glenmark Domain. Glenmark Domain, Omihi, Sun 11 Mar, ncwineandfood.co.nz

NEW BRIGHTON DUKE FESTIVAL OF SURFING

CHRISTCHURCH HOLI – FESTIVAL OF COLOURS FESTIVAL Enjoy traditional

surfing festival stumps up with a three day surfing competition, a board and art exhibitions, outdoor movie night, and more! New Brighton Pier, Fri 16 – Sun 18 Mar, Find it on Facebook

EASY MONEY

THE STAR CITY2SURF

THEATRE Popular Kiwi

FITNESS The city’s favourite fun

playwright Roger Hall’s reworking of Ben Jonson’s 17th Century comedy The Alchemist offers double-crosses, dirty tricks and all the dodgy

run returns with both 14km and 6km distances. Centennial Park, Sun 18 Mar, city2surf.co.nz

LIMP BIZKIT TOSCA

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL CINEMA

The best of French cinema returns to Christchurch with the 2018 AF French Film Festival. Experience one language and a world of emotions at Hoyts Riccarton from 6 – 25 March. frenchfilmfestival.co.nz

FITNESS/FAMILY The popular

Indian games, cultural performances and festive Holi delicacies as you get into the fun spirit of this literally colourful festival. North Hagley Park, Sat 17 Mar, revelevents.co.nz

FESTIVAL The country’s biggest

DON’T MISS

LIVE MUSIC The nu-metallers

drop in on Horncastle Arena for their first South Island gig. Horncastle Arena, Mon 19 Mar, stormthegates.co.nz

CMNZ: ANDERSON & ROE LIVE MUSIC Expanding and

exploring genre boundaries, acclaimed American piano duo Anderson and Roe are as much at home with Mozart as they are with Daft Punk. The Piano, Tue 20 Mar, andersonroe.com

RADO AND RAYBON COMEDY Leading NZ comedians

Nick Rado and Raybon Kan team up for a set each, followed by a second half of solving the audience’s problems for them (handy). Isaac Theatre Royal, Tue 20 Mar, aotnz.co.nz

RNZB: THE PIANO

THE SPOOKY MEN’S CHORALE LIVE MUSIC The Australian

darlings of the folk festival circuit return to New Zealand for the first time since 2012 with their genre-bending blend of acapella and humour. The Piano, Sat 24 Mar, spookymen.com

PERFORMANCE Jane Campion’s

JIM GAFFIGAN

acclaimed, Oscar-winning The Piano inspires this new treatment from the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Isaac Theatre Royal, Wed 21 – Fri 23 Mar, rnzb.org.nz

COMEDY The affable, Grammy-

CSO: PATHÉTIQUE LIVE MUSIC The CSO continue

their Masterworks season in 2018 with Tchaikovsky’s masterful Sixth Symphony as well as works by Ravel and Holmes. Charles Luney Auditorium, Sat 24 Mar, cso.co.nz

LE RACE SPORT Attracting both the

country’s leading cyclists and weekend warriors, this annual city-to-Akaroa cycle race offers a scenic mixture of challenging hill climbs, fast flats and rapid downhills. Cathedral Square, Sat 24 Mar, lerace.co.nz

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nominated American stand-up star (and actor, writer, producer, and two times New York Times best-selling author) makes his first New Zealand stand-up tour. Aurora Centre for the Performing Arts, Thu 29 Mar, frontiertouring.com

THE WOMAN IN BLACK THEATRE NO Productions

Theatre heads back to the Gloucester Room after their Turn of the Screw with another ghostly tale; one of the scariest theatre productions of the last three decades. Isaac Theatre Royal, Thu 29 Mar –Sun 1 Apr, noproductionstheatre.com

BLACKCAPS V ENGLAND – 2ND TEST SPORT The Black Caps play

some proper cricket, taking on England over five days at the magnificent Hagley Oval. Hagley Oval, Fri 30 Mar – Tue 3 Apr, blackcaps.co.nz

Image: Eric Levin

BELLY LAUGHS

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Discover treats, trinkets and more from 60 of the city’s top designers, artists and artisans at the Arts Centre’s Easter Market on March 24. Stallholders have been specifically selected for their high-quality and unique products in a showcase of Christchurch (and Canterbury’s) best, including local jeweller Mel Hopkins and her Love Fool brand. Add exceptional eats, drinks, live music and a fun festival vibe for an early Easter treat. artscentre.org.nz

Dad Jokes Renaissance man Jim Gaffigan is not only one of the

US scene’s most successful stand-up comics, but also an actor, writer, producer, and two-time New York Times best-selling author, hitting big with his two books Dad Is Fat and Food: A Love Story. You might have seen him pop up on Flight of the Conchords, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bored to Death, or his own The Jim Gaffigan Show; his stand-up, which riffs on fatherhood (“I used to wonder why I had hair on my legs, but now I know it’s for my toddler sons and daughters to pull themselves up off the ground with as I scream in pain.”), food, laziness and more has seen him sell out shows all over the world. Grab the chance to see this genial star of the world comedy circuit on March 29 at the Aurora Centre, and get your laughs on! jimgaffigan.com KIWI CLASSIC

DANCING AROUND THE PIANO

Image: Ross Brown

Jane Campion’s 1993 global arthouse hit The Piano provided some truly iconic shots, propelled the then 11-year-old Anna Paquin to stardom, and even had us believing Harvey Keitel could be sexy. It’s celebrated this month by the Royal New Zealand Ballet, with their new adaptation of the colonial tale hitting the Isaac Theatre Royal from March 21 – 23; it’s a full length dance work that retains the film’s themes of desire, violence and hope. rnzb.org.nz

MAGNUM OPUS Having reached the end of a six-month composing process in August 1893, Tchaikovsky was pretty chuffed with his Sixth Symphony, Pathétique: “It is the best thing I composed or shall compose,” he declared. He turned out to be rather sadly on the money; the composer died of cholera just nine days after the work’s premiere. The CSO brings us the last great work of this Russian musical titan with Lamb & Hayward Masterworks: Pathétique on March 24 at Charles Luney Auditorium; the orchestra is also joined by Berlin-based Kiwi pianist Tony Chen (pictured left) for Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major. cso.co.nz

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Lighten Up Don’t miss the two big nights of Chinese culture that is the Christchurch Lantern Festival (Mar 10 & 11). It’ll be lighting up the Avon River Precinct with all manner of illuminated animals and extravagant creations, and there’s a mighty fine food and entertainment offering.

HOP TO IT

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LOCAL TALENT

Are you in?

LET’S GET LOST

Get ready to lose yourself in the musical goodness of Christchurch’s answer to Mac Demarco: Jed Parsons. Lincoln-born Parsons has made himself a prominent front runner in the local music scene, thanks to his multi-instrumental talent, killer hooks, and dreamy melodies. His most recent single, ‘Get Lost’, has garnered a ton of popularity on music streaming giants Spotify and Apple Music. Crediting acts such as Outkast and Neil Young for inspo, and working alongside the likes of local lads nomad and Shapeshifter founding member Devin Abrams, Parsons is gaining fame and an ever-increasing fan base, having already been a key contributor to festivals such as Nostalgia and live music nights. With all this going on, it’ll come as no surprise to learn that his first full-length album is in the works, and is shaping up to be released later this year. Engineered and co-produced by Lee Prebble (known for producing for iconic Kiwi bands like The Black Seeds), the album is sure to be on local and international music radars. If you haven’t already, peep the quirky and eccentric music video to ‘Get Lost’, and find out what all the fuss is about! FB/JedParsonsMusic

GIGS THIS MONTH INCUBUS Horncastle Arena, Wed 7 Mar JAMES BLUNT Horncastle Arena, Thu 8 Mar SIX60 WITH NICO & VINZ – THE NEW WAVES WORLD TOUR Horncastle Arena, Fri 9 Mar LIMP BIZKIT Horncastle Arena, Mon 19 Mar ANDERSON & ROE PIANO DUO The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, Tue 20 Mar BIG COUNTRY The Foundry, Wed 21 Mar THE SPOOKY MEN’S CHORALE The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, Sat 24 Mar TRES CORDES STRING TRIO The Great Hall at The Arts Centre, Mon 26 Mar

MASTER OF ITS DOMAIN Lincoln’s own tilt at the classic summer music fest, Selwyn Sounds, is back for another go this month on the Lincoln Domain. This year’s line-up is headlined by legendary hard-livin’ Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes; he’s joined by an Australasian bill that includes local legends The Narcs, The Mockers, Stellar and The Feelers alongside Mental as Anything, The Warratahs and The Lady Killers (a.k.a Tina Cross, Jackie Clarke and Suzanne Lynch). There’s some fantastic food and drink too, with a flotilla of food trucks serving everything from whitebait fritters to dumplings, rotisserie chicken, and Persian kebabs, and a well-stocked bar. All we need now for the perfect day out is some sunshine; surely the weather gods don’t dare frown on times these good! selwynsounds.co.nz

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Still putting in the touring hard yards after two decades in the biz, Californian alt-rockers Incubus are back in NZ for the first time in 6 years, dropping into Horncastle Arena on March 7. Tracks from their 2016 studio album 8 (their, uh, eighth) will definitely be on the agenda, so it’s the first chance for local fans to hear newer hits like ‘Nimble Bastard’ and ‘Glitterbomb’ live, but of course those are just part of a huge back catalogue that includes some monster hits; don’t bet against giant singles like ‘Drive’, ‘Megalomaniac’ and ‘Anna Molly’, making an appearance. They’re known for their spontaneous, energetic live performances, and with plenty of hitmaking behind them, this is shaping up as a bit of a stealthy must-see on this year’s calendar of big visiting acts. incubushq.com

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Screen Queen Cityscape catches up with chronic film junkie, Newshub Entertainment Editor and Alliance Française French Film Festival Patron Kate Rodger on dream jobs, Channing Tatum’s manhood, hugging Hugh Jackman and her mustsee picks at this year’s festival.

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HOW DID YOU BECOME A FILM REVIEWER AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR? A misspent youth in dark cinemas morphed into a misspent adulthood in dark cinemas, which in turn morphed into an actual job being paid to be in dark cinemas. I arrived via a paper round, a decade in radio, and a decade in London.

weeping during our interview as we talked about Logan being his last outing as The Wolverine (and leapt out of his chair to hug me. Of course, I felt immediately better). Angelina [Jolie], because she’s ANGELINA. And the pairing of ultimate fan-boys Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg, because it was like sitting down with two excited (and very rich) 8 year old boys jabbering on excitedly about how making movies is just the COOLEST thing ever.

HOW SWEET A GIG IS IT? As sweet as it gets – I literally won the job LOTTERY! BUT THERE MUST BE A DOWNSIDE? I am sure there is. Let me think about that… thought about it, turns out there isn’t. A downside, that is. YOU’RE PROGRAMMING A TRIPLE FEATURE OF YOUR THREE FAVOURITE FILMS OF ALL TIME – WHAT’S PLAYING? Once Upon a Time in the West, Star Wars and Betty Blue – because between them they deliver to my three different personalities: The Cowboy, The Space Cowboy and The Lover. WHAT ARE THE THREE GOLDEN RULES OF CINEMA ETIQUETTE? 1. Turn off your bloody cellphone. 2. Turn off your bloody cellphone. 3. TURN OFF YOUR BLOODY CELLPHONE!

IF YOU COULD ERASE ONE FILM FROM CINEMATIC HISTORY WHAT WOULD IT BE? Again, there are at least a dozen of these, but for argument’s sake let’s just say anything starring Katherine Heigl. WHAT WAS YOUR WORST-EVER FILM REVIEWER EXPERIENCE? See above. YOU’RE THE 2018 FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL PATRON; WHAT DOES THE ROLE ENTAIL? Revelling in all things cinematically French – c’est MAGNIFIQUE! WHAT IS IT ABOUT FRENCH CINEMA THAT MAKES IT SUCH A THRILLING EXPERIENCE? The passion, always the passion. The frankness of that passion, the all-encompassing acceptance that a life without passion is no life at all.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVE CELEB INTERVIEW. It’s not a cop-out, but there are in fact a dozen at least of my favourite interviews, and all for very different reasons. Channing Tatum, because I accidentally may have inferred that his ‘manhood’ was ‘huge’ (it was a breakdown in communication but it made for a very funny interview). Hugh Jackman because he’s Hugh and because he totally got why I started quietly

WHAT FILMS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN THE 2018 SEASON? Ismael’s Ghosts and Ava are two of my headliner must-sees, but I haven’t even scratched the surface of the programme yet! Alliance Française French Film Festival, Hoyts Riccarton, Mar 6 – 25, frenchfilmfestival.co.nz

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/ SCREEN QUEEN

A misspent youth in dark cinemas morphed into a misspent adulthood in dark cinemas, which in turn morphed into an actual job being paid to be in dark cinemas. 17

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/ CULTURE

01 MRS HYDE Lightning strikes twice in Serge Bozon’s closing-night comedy, as beleaguered and mousy teacher Madame Géquil unleashes a vindictive and fierce persona that’s been simmering under the surface after she is hit by lightning. The always brilliant Isabelle Huppert turns out a razor-edged and Leopard-winning performance in the title role. Oddball and quirky, Mrs Hyde will have you rooting for an underdog hero with some serious bite.

SO FRENCHY, SO CHIC

Back for its 12th anniversary, the Alliance Française French Film Festival serves up a cinematic celebration of France’s finest flicks (37 in total) over 20 glorious days! That’s some serious scheduling needed if you want to pull off the entire festival (you’ll also need a very understanding employer!), so if you wanna tap the cream of the crop, we’ve compiled our top five picks.

02 AVA This coming-of-age tale with an edge sees 13-year-old Ava (Noée Abita) on a family vacation when she learns she’ll lose her sight earlier than predicted due to her retinitis pigmentosa. As she’s egged on to have the best summer ever by her Mum, Ava’s loss of sight mirrors her loss of innocence. Canine kidnapping and familial stoushes follow as Ava deals with her predicament in her own way in this bold, sensual debut from Léa Mysius.

03 MONTPARNASSE BIENVENÜE Taking out the Caméra d’Or at Cannes, Léonor Serraille’s stunning and unpredictable debut sees the everresourceful and slightly wild Paula (Laetitia Dosch) trying to reinvent herself after returning to Paris following a failed romance with no money, no work and a four-legged dependent.

04 DOUBLE LOVER Loosely based on Joyce Carol Oates’ Lives of the Twins, erotic auteur François Ozon’s Double Lover sees beautifully bonkers former model Chloe (Marine Vacth) turning to therapy to try to stabilise her life in this campy exploration of sexual repression. “Sure, it’s kinky,” writes Variety, “but Ozon is having fun with it, to the extent that the entire film rewards that fetish all moviegoers have in common – voyeurism – offering up a kind of equalopportunity objectification”.

ISMAEL’S GHOSTS Arnaud Desplechin combines an all-star cast (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Mathieu Amalric and Marion Cotillard) with an otherworldly, densely-layered, and intricate storyline that spans time, locations and relationships. Widowed filmmaker Ismael’s world turns upside down when his presumed-dead wife turns up as he’s part-way through making a new film.

Alliance Française French Film Festival, Hoyts Riccarton, Mar 6 – 25 frenchfilmfestival.co.nz 18

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/ CULTURE

SIX60 DEGREES OF SEPARATION After a bit of rescheduling, Kiwi music success story Six60 are set to finally make it here this month, having kept local fans on tenterhooks since the start of the year. The soul/electronica/dnb/ pop rock group spent much of their 2017 working on new music, recording in Auckland, London and Los Angeles, and have been busy showing it off in Europe and New Zealand in league with Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz in The New Waves World Tour – but not here! Originally scheduled for January, their Christchurch date moved to Mar 9; now that’s rolled around, locals have the chance to check out the new stuff at Horncastle Arena (completing a big week for the venue that sees Incubus and James Blunt playing on the days before). Six60 frontman Matiu Walters has spoken about their excitement at the somewhat unlikely collaboration with the Scandinavians: “We met Nico & Vinz when we were recording in their studio in LA and discovered that we’ve got a lot in common in what we believe about music and the way it affects and connects people, and how our music is influenced by our roots and genres like R&B.” Kiwi hip hop musician and producer Kings is also on the tour, rounding off a big line-up that’s set to – finally! – deliver a big night of music that’s not to be missed. Six60 – The New Waves Tour, Horncastle Arena, Mar 9, six60.co.nz

ROAD TRIP Go wild on the West Coast at the annual extravaganza that is the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival (Mar 10) – bull semen and mountain oysters anyone? wildfoods.co.nz

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Art in the field

Born in Ashburton, Peter Robinson is widely recognised as one of the nation’s leading contemporary artists, and the talent that has won him that reputation will be on full display when he takes over CoCA’s spacious Mair Gallery for a new solo exhibition, Fieldwork (Mar 3 to May 13). Robinson has developed a new body of work that will sprawl through CoCA; delicate sculptural forms made of everyday artist studio materials – including wood, wire, paper, metal, nails and magnets, both found and specially sourced – which contribute to a visual language that unfolds and repeats throughout the space. You might want to limber up ahead of your visit, as audiences will be met with a bit of a navigation challenge, picking their way around suspended grids and works placed on the floors, walls, and ceiling. As usual with CoCA too, the exhibition also comes with an interesting events programme, including an artist talk from Robinson, a series of youth creative writing workshops hosted by Faultline Poetry Collective, children’s workshops with local artist Janna van Hasselt, a performance and movement workshop by dancer Julia Harvie, and a colab with community creativity group Ōtautahi Creative Spaces. Check out the CoCA website for more details and dates. coca.org.nz

EXHIBITIONS TO CATCH Jacqueline Fahey: Say Something! Christchurch Art Gallery, until 11 Mar Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden 5th Annual Autumn Exhibition Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden, 3/4, 10/11, 17/18 Mar One Pot One Shot Form Gallery, 7 – 27 Mar Anne Shelton: Dark Matter Christchurch Art Gallery, until 15 April

Wearable Art Fashion and art collide with the Martin Poppelwell and Workshop colab/limited edition t-shirt. Catch the exhibition at The Central Art Gallery (to Mar 4) then pick up a t-shirt at Workshop.

Michael Smither Rubber Gloves 1977. Oil on hardboard. Collection Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth. Purchased from Monica Brewster Bequest in 1978.

YELLOW MOON: HE MARAMA KŌWHAI This lively exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery (until 28 Oct) in a range of media (vivid, mostly abstract paintings feature amidst sculpture, video and photography) and from a variety of artists (including big names like Rosalie Gascoigne, Michael Smither and Colin McCahon) showcases the vibrancy and impact of yellow, offering the chance to think about how artists work and think creatively. With all the energy and pleasure of a sunny day or heading out on a brightly moonlit night, Yellow Moon is an exciting exhibition with something for visitors of all ages. christchurchartgallery.org.nz

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Cityscape checks out the darkly twisted story of lust, revenge and sacrifice of the opera that conquered the world – Tosca – ahead of New Zealand Opera’s exquisite production this month.

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xpect lavish costuming and stunning sets backed by the operatic powerhouses of three of the biggest names in the biz when the New Zealand Opera brings Tosca back to Christchurch this month for its only South Island production this season. While Puccini’s dark opus didn’t have the most auspicious of beginnings when it was performed for the first time in Rome in January 1900 (political unrest and fears of an anarchist bombing of the theatre pushed the premiere back a day, and much of the immediate critical and press reaction was lukewarm at best), in the centuryplus since it’s become one of the world’s mostperformed operas, and the NZO’s spectacular staging is bound to enthral and delight. Reprising the titular lead and ultimate operatic diva Floria Tosca from the NZO’s hit 2015 production is inimitable Irish soprano Orla Boylan. She’s treading the boards alongside Kiwi operatic superstars Simon O’Neill, also reprising his 2015 role and re-unleashing his inner Italianate hero as Mario Cavaradossi, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who’s perfectly cast (as those who saw him as demon barber Sweeney Todd in his last local performance with the NZO can attest) as the brutal Baron Scarpia (see our interview on page 38). Tosca 2018 sees former Canterbury lads O’Neill and Tahu Rhodes both back in action in their old hood at the

Isaac Theatre Royal and vying for Tosca’s affections. It’s a classic tale of love, lust and political intrigue (it wasn’t dubbed a “blood and thunder” thriller for nothing!), but with a bit of a twist: the NZO has transplanted the original setting of Rome during Napoleon’s invasion in 1800 to the Italy of the 1950s, trading one turbulent period of Italian history for another, with the country politically divided and bankrupt in the wake of World War II. It’s an appropriately fraught era in which to re-home Puccini’s tale (itself based on an 1887 play by French playwright Victorien Sardou), which follows the passionate and celebrated singer Floria Tosca in a time of extreme political tension. When her lover, painter Cavaradossi, is imprisoned by police chief Baron Scarpia (an all-timer character on the operatic villains roster) for helping an escaped political prisoner, Angelotti, Tosca takes matters into her own hands with dramatic consequences (of course – it's opera!). Don’t miss your chance to see the restaging of a production that was universally praised on its initial reception in 2015; “If you've ever wondered what the fuss about opera is all about, you will find the answer in this Tosca,” wrote reviewer Penny Dodd. With the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra down in the pit conducted by Italian maestro Marco Guidarini and the spectacular production values we can always expect from NZO on show once again, this looks like another can’t-miss from our national opera company. NZO: Tosca, Isaac Theatre Royal, Mar 8 – 16, nzopera.com CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ March 18

/ A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

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MARIO CAVARADOSSI: SIMON O’NEILL

Cityscape meets the stars behind the lead characters.

Christchurch born, Teddy Tahu Rhodes is a frequent performer with Opera Australia, singing in several world and Australian premiere performances, as well as globetrotting with the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, and many, many more. He’s scored several major awards along the way and also put together an extensive discography of performance recordings. A favourite villain, he’s performing with the NZO in his home town for the first time since his memorable turn in the title role of 2016’s production of Sweeney Todd.

FLORIA TOSCA: ORLA BOYLAN

Born in Ireland, soprano Orla is a science grad who was three years into her PhD before turning to singing full time. She picked up a Helpmann Award (accolades given for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia) with her performance of Procne at the Perth International Festival in the world premiere of Richard Mills’ Love of the Nightingale in 2007. That’s just one of a host of awards she’s racked up in a career that’s seen her perform in concerts and operas in her native Ireland, England, Italy, the US, Australia, and of course here in New Zealand, where she stunned Auckland and Wellington as Tosca in 2015, and also played Senta in NZO’s production of Der fliegende Holländer in 2013.

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Image: Frances Marshall Photography

BARON SCARPIA: TEDDY TAHU RHODES

One of NZ opera’s favourite sons, Simon was born in Ashburton, studying music at Otago and Victoria unis before receiving scholarships for the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard Opera Center. This launched him into a glittering career to date that’s seen him become a principal artist with the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala and the Bayreuth and Salzburg Festivals, and also named 2005 Arts Laureate of New Zealand – and just last year, an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He’s performed many of opera’s most legendary roles (think Otello, Siegmund, Rodolfo, and more), and wowed with his Cavaradossi in 2015.

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/ THE NEW LOOK WORKSHOP

Leading New Zealand fashion brand Workshop’s three-decade history in the city has reached new and spectacular heights with the synergistic fusion of fashion, design and architecture that is their new Christchurch flagship store at The Crossing.

Images: Pohio Adams Architects

eamlessly blending old and new, and razor-sharp leading fashion with architectural genius, Workshop is helping to return elegance and serious international designer cred to the central city with the opening of their Colombo Street boutique. Gloriously reimagining part of the former Arthur Barnett department store, the latest location from Kiwi fashion legends Chris and Helen Cherry embraces Workshop’s cutting-edge streetwear and denim collections, which have stunned since 1982, and are complemented with Helen’s own eponymous high-end contemporary women’s label. These two head-turning

labels on the New Zealand scene are additionally joined in Workshop boutiques (and for the first time in Christchurch) by an exclusive curation from international designers including Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Marc Jacobs, See by Chloé, Common Projects, James Perse, and Vanessa Bruno. With Workshop’s rep as New Zealand fashion leaders firmly established, the stunning new store will be a fitting home to some of the city’s finest fashion. Workshop’s new location follows previous Christchurch stores in Cashel Mall as well as High and Tuam Streets, and marks the latest in a long series of

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Alexander Wang Roxy Alpha Studded Mini Bucket (RRP $879)

Isabel Marant Jaeryn Stud Heel (RRP $1,179)

Common Projects Original Achilles Low w White Sole (RRP $649)

Helen Cherry Harlow Jacket (RRP $749), Elson Blouse (RRP $439) and Classic Cigarette Pant (RRP $489)

Workshop Denim Mens Zip Front Leather Jacket (RRP $898), Workshop Aotearoa Merino V Neck (RRP $198), Leather Pocket Slim Fit Stretch (RRP $279) and Common Projects Dossier Grain Leather (RRP $479) Workshop Denim Womens Brooklyn Biker Jacket (RRP $898), Raquel Rib Sweater (RRP $249) and Biker Jean (RRP $279)

collaborations between owner, architect, and artisans. Workshop founder and creative director Chris Cherry was again joined by long-time collaborators architect Chris Adams of Pohio Adams Architects and steel fabricator Gary Hunt. The three have already worked together for some two-and-a-half decades, developing and refining a design language that has come to define the distinct Workshop aesthetic. Here in Christchurch, the trio embraced the rare opportunity to create a statement character heritage space in one of the city’s premium retail precincts, with original decorative coffered ceilings and copper and bronze awning friezes combining to create Workshop’s signature mix of character, history, and location. In a style they dub “Industrial Regency”, the store offers historic and exquisite detailing, materials, and generous proportions, while a mix of sourced and bespoke fittings provide detail, elegance, and a warmly welcoming feel. Design elements to keep a particular eye out for in-store include a set of fabulous cast bronze balustrades in the late 30s Regency Moderne-style that were originally housed in the Allied Assurance Building on Hereford Street. Unearthed by Chris (an avid collector of New Zealand art and international mid-20th Century design) by way of Christchurch’s own Ross Morrison at mr mod, they have been painstakingly restored and now take pride of place in the new store, repurposed as sales counter and display cases. When paired with industrial steel frames fabricated by Hunt to

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rein in their flamboyancy, they embody Workshop’s unique aesthetic. This bespoke statement piece sits amongst contributions from some of the world’s best designers, including Italian sculpture lights from Mazzega, Poliarte, and Angelo Brotto, and a luxurious original Gio Ponti sofa. Elsewhere in store, waxed book-matched walnut veneer fitting rooms, over-scaled mirrors and bespoke steel racks continue the theme, each element carefully considered and placed to add to the overall effect, which is one of grand scale and timeless elegance. Appropriately for a brand which has long been famous for their oh-so-carefully curated fashion collection, the result is a breath-taking shopping experience. The newly-completed and unique project represents something of a zenith for the long-running and already successful Cherry, Adams, and Hunt partnership, as Adams explains: “This project builds on the previous stores we have designed in Auckland, Wellington and Melbourne, but here there is an extra resonance imparted by the unique pieces we have used that have a special Christchurch history,” he says. “The store has an elegance, and connection with history that is important in a city where so much of that has been lost.” Head to Colombo Street and check out the art and architecture of fashion yourself and be wowed by Workshop's meticulously-considered combination of local and international fashion, furniture, art, and objects. Workshop, 684 Colombo Street workshop.co.nz

Helen Cherry Clemence Dress (RRP $639)

/ THE NEW LOOK WORKSHOP

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TAKING OFF

Cityscape catches up with Off & On’s founder and owner Nicky Shore, who revolutionised the beauty industry with her national chain of premium hair removal and brow design destinations, and has now brought the ‘Brow Wow’ and ‘Brozilian’ to Christchurch. YOU’VE BUILT A NATIONAL BEAUTY BAR EMPIRE ON BEING THE ANTITHESIS OF THE TYPICAL SPA/ SALON – WHAT WAS THE GAME PLAN GOING IN? Well actually, exactly that! When we set out nearly 10 years ago, the idea was to take what was then the more basic bread-and-butter service of beauty salons, turn it on its head by specialising and innovating in it to be the best, make the results superior and at the same time give customers an experience that made it feel more loved than loathed (which at the time waxing was!). WHAT WAS THE FIRST DAY OF BUSINESS LIKE? Terrifying and liberating. Because the concept at the time was quite new (no one did brows out in public in a brow station then, there were no real pure specialist beauty service concepts, and beauty therapy had a very specific look, feel and set of rules), realising the risk of losing everything came thick and fast, but it was also liberating as it was the point of no return… there was no way we couldn’t not make it work or opt out. We made

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/ TAKING OFF

salon. We have to give people a reason to try us, so our ultimate aim is to be a true brand that is unique, with a point of difference – the best in the country at what we do, consistently.

TELL US ABOUT THE OFF & ON ‘EXPERIENCE’. It really is about taking services that women and men do on the everyday and are considered most essential and making them feel premium and specialised and offering the best results, all whilst having a unique in-store experience. That is why we don’t really look or feel like a traditional beauty salon or use their usual cues or ‘rules’ – our uniforms, the décor, the music, the atmosphere and the relationship with your specialist are all aimed to be different from a more traditional beauty

HOW DID YOU KNOW CHRISTCHURCH WAS READY FOR OFF & ON? I am from the South Island and had always been waiting for the right window – finding the right location and site that worked with the concept and where the customers are. Little High Street was the first site we looked at and the timing and location felt perfect. We also had been listening to our customers – many who had moved back down to Christchurch or travelled up – they really are our voice and loyal champions! When we kept hearing “We need you down here” and “There is nothing like you guys” then we knew the time was now. YOU INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO THE ‘BROZILIAN’ – WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT THEN AND WHO’S GETTING IT DONE? Well a very smart man with words and a friend of ours coined the term over drinks one night and it seemed to us that it was a genius way to demystify the Brazilian (which was thought of as being female only) and make it more accessible to the Kiwi bloke, which really describes the guy that gets this done. There is no stereotype, and we say basically your next-door neighbour probably gets one. WHAT’S THE SECRET TO A KILLER SET OF BROWS? A good brow artist with a plan and patience – brows can be transformed! Also understanding that strength comes as much through colour as size, and that the best brow for you and your face is the one that is most believable. This can be achieved in a myriad of ways now, and there are so many options.

colour as size, and that the best brow for you and your face is the one that is most believable.

WHAT WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT WHEN YOU REALISED YOU WERE ABOUT TO BLOW UP ON THE BEAUTY SCENE? Oh God, I am not sure about blow up! There was a tipping point where it felt like the idea was considered new and exciting but also enduring and with mass appeal. And then scale through the new locations makes us see that it is also a geographic consideration. Our awareness in Wellington or Christchurch was small and cult, so we didn’t really think we would be a strong brand until we were truly national, and certainly didn’t think that being strong in Auckland meant we had made it! And that means a lot of work to introduce the concept to Christchurch this year, and hope that people love it here as much as they do elsewhere!

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO TREATMENT? Easy – a henna brow spa treatment and a lash lift. Literally instant gratification for the face! My follicles elsewhere have given up in surrender, so on the hair removal front I am done!

... understanding that strength comes as much through

no money for a very long time, but always had the belief the concept and delivery was right and what the market was ready for. We were also prepared that it would be hard in lots of ways. We always said the worst that could happen would be that we would lose it all and end up living in a caravan – and that was OK!

WHAT’S YOUR BUSINESS MANTRA? Happy people – both customers and our team. Our management team’s job is to be consistently positive and ultimately focus on these two things. We are in the customer service industry as well as beauty.

WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO GIVE AN OFF & ON MAKEOVER? Still etched in my brain is the woman standing behind Donald Trump (BTW I’m not even sure where we would start with him!) in his press conference with that bizarre ‘brow’ look – the T, the comma, not even sure what that is? But that lady needed some serious brow help! Off & On, 181 High Street, offandon.co.nz

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Image: MSNBC

HAND SIGNALS

Cityscape catches up with the dynamic duo of (Greg) Anderson & (Elizabeth Joy) Roe, the pair behind a world famous “four hands, one piano” routine – and whose killer jams range from Daft Punk to Mozart – ahead of their upcoming performance at… The Piano!

HOW DID ANDERSON & ROE COME TO BE? ER: We met during our first week of college at The Juilliard School; we actually lived on the same floor in the dorm! We developed a close friendship and mutual respect, and when musicians are friends, the tendency is to play together. GA: The first time we ever played together was electrifying! The music we were sight-reading was notoriously difficult to synchronise, but we played perfectly together. That same innate sense of musical timing (or is it ‘mind reading’?) has followed us throughout our career; we rarely spend rehearsal time on the basics of ensemble. ER: Neither Greg nor I had ever imagined that we would be in a professional piano duo; we were on the traditional path of building solo careers, and we began playing together for fun. However, each of us individually had lofty dreams for how classical music could impact the world, and we found that our ideals powerfully aligned. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? GA: As a pair of classical pianists, we tour the world, compose and arrange music, and produce cinematic music videos. We serve our music piping hot with an unhealthy dose of adrenaline, 2-4 servings of sexual tension, and a dash of the unexpected. ;-) ER: We believe that great music is great music, regardless of genre and labels. We

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Image: Lisa Marie Mazzucco

/ HAND SIGNALS

apply this conviction to our programming and performances, pushing the boundaries of what can be performed in a classical concert; it’s natural for us to pair a masterwork from the standard classical repertoire with a contemporary pop cover. This juxtaposition of styles, in turn, reflects the rich musical landscape of our times.

We serve our music piping hot with an unhealthy dose of adrenaline, 2-4 servings of sexual tension, and a dash of the unexpected. GA: Two people playing together on one piano is incredibly intimate. We share the same space and the same keys, our bodies are touching, and our hands are often interlocked. Musically, this has the potential to make us feel very unified, but physically, we can really get in each other’s way! In these thorny situations, we work together to choreograph our hands over the keyboard, much like dancers choreograph their feet on the dance floor. ER: We have several tango arrangements that we’ve created over the years. After deciding that four hands at a single piano would best honour the spirit of the dance, we wrote the arrangements to visually illustrate the choreography of tango dancing: our four hands on the keyboard become four feet on the dance floor, highlighting the danger, physical friction, and charged chemistry one typically finds between a pair of tango dancers. We always aim to reflect the innate spirit and energy of the music, and then we can’t help but play with total commitment!

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR MUSIC TO GET THE ANDERSON & ROE TREATMENT? GA: Often we simply choose music we like, whether it’s by Bach or Coldplay. Since not all the music we like translates well to the piano, we have to think very creatively when arranging… and sometimes we end up deconstructing our source material so much it becomes nearly unrecognisable. In the case of our ‘Billie Jean’ arrangement, we were inspired by Jackson’s rhythmic precision and by the sinister nature of the song. We aimed to highlight these qualities in our arrangement, and in doing so, we allowed other aspects of the original (such as its prominent dance beat and Jackson’s inimitable vocal style) to fall by the wayside. Other times we choose music based on its potential for piano duo treatment, such as our ‘Blue Danube Fantasy’. The piece on which it is based is by no means a personal favourite, but the material provided us with the perfect encasing for an explosive, over-the-top duet. And finally, sometimes we select a piece because a musical idea has caught our attention and could serve as the basis for a new piece altogether.

WHAT’S THE SECRET TO ROCKING A FLAWLESS 4 HANDS, 1 PIANO ROUTINE? GA: We listen! We must always listen acutely, deeply, and in each and every moment. Listening is the key to being in sync. We trust our ears more than our eyes, as visual cues can be unreliable. But really, in the end, it’s all about letting go, trusting your partner, and succumbing to the moment. When we really find that groove, the musical thrill can be off the charts. ER: Yes. True synchronicity is the product of a musical conversation that is dynamic, engaged, and awake. Certainly one of the

YOUR PERFORMANCES ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR SHOWMANSHIP. WHO’S IN CHARGE OF THE CHOREOGRAPHY?

Image: Brent Cline

YOU’RE BRINGING NEW MUSIC TO THE CLASSICAL AUDIENCE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC TO NEW GENERATIONS – WHAT’S THE SECRET TO ENGAGING BOTH? ER: Openness and authenticity. We aim to be true to ourselves and the music while keeping open minds and hearts, because we hope to channel the full scope of the human experience through our music. This openness has led to experimenting with different musical genres, performing in an array of diverse venues, and setting a piano on fire for the sake of a music video! GA: It’s our mission to make classical music a relevant and powerful force in society, and a great tool for this, we’ve discovered, is social media. It’s allowed us to cross demographic barriers that may have seemed insurmountable, and it’s helped to cultivate a more engaged audience at our shows. We’ve noticed our audiences – who tend to be on the younger side (a promising sign for the future!) – listen with more investment as we perform, making the concert a more immersive experience.

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joys of duo playing is finding and cultivating a unified approach – philosophically, emotionally, spiritually – to the music. IF YOU COULD PERFORM ONSTAGE WITH ANY MUSICIAN, WHO WOULD IT BE? GA: There are many duos, chamber groups, and conductors that we’d love to work with. We especially love performing concertos with orchestras, and it is our dream to perform with first-class orchestras around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the NZSO. ER: Additionally I think it would be fascinating to collaborate with non-classical musicians as well as artists in other disciplines (dance, theatre, film, the visual arts, etc.). Possibilities are endless whenever creativity, inspiration, and passion are involved. I could easily name a dozen pop/ rock artists with whom I dream of collaborating: Beyoncé, Lorde, Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, just to name a few... GA: I’d like to accompany Adele singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO UNWIND AFTER A CONCERT? ER: I like to get a decadent treat (usually chocolate) and relax by watching some TV (usually something humorous and light!). GA: Concerts can be an exhausting workout and they sometimes require a generous cool-down period afterwards (lots of drinking, food and merriment!) before bed! Anderson & Roe Piano Duo, The Piano, Mar 20, chambermusic.co.nz

/ ENTERTAIN ME

Watching

Our picks of the best flicks, music and stuff to read.

TOMB RAIDER

Image: Sony Pictures

Stepping into the kick-ass boots of the world’s favourite video game heroine and Tomb Raider (Mar 15), Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina) plays a distinctly non-pixelated Lara Croft, here rebooted as the feisty daughter of a missing adventurer who’s making ends meet as a bicycle courier in East London. Unable to accept her old man’s possible death, Croft heads to the island where he was last seen. Director Roar Uthaug (The Wave) delivers a lavishly shot, high-octane killer adventure, complete with obligatory tombs and the raiding thereof, and death-defying action sequences.

FUNNY BUNNY

PETER RABBIT

WINCHESTER Acting royalty Helen Mirren (Woman in Gold) pulls on the black lace and literally takes on her demons as she casts about an enormous mansion in Aussie directing duo the Spierig Brothers’ (Jigsaw) new chiller Winchester (Mar 1). In the tradition of all good haunted house flicks, it takes its inspiration from ‘true events’, recounting the lengths firearm heiress and widower Sarah Winchester – believing she’s cursed by the ghosts of the victims of the famed rifle – goes to in order to appease the cranky spectres. The words ‘nightmare renovations’ have never been so apt, as non-stop construction sees room after room added to the creepy ghost house – expect more than a few bumps in the dark!

Beatrix Potter’s beloved mischievous and garden-raiding Peter Rabbit (Mar 29) gets an epic reboot into the present day. The now wise-cracking titular rabbit, family and friends are brought into the real world via some masterful CGI wizardry. Smart, sassy and filled with a who’s who of Hollywood stars, this broad-playing familyfriendly flick (you’ll be laughing along with the kids, if for different reasons) sees our adventurous and twerking(!) hero Peter (Carpool Karaoke legend James Corden) locked in an endless stoush with Mr McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) – though this time they’re not fighting over the carrot patch (much), but rather the affections of animal-loving artist and neighbour Bea (Rose Byrne). This is ‘feel good’ dialled up to 11. WIN! We have 5 Peter Rabbit prize packs including tote bag, note book, grow-your-own plant and a double pass to the movie to giveaway. To enter, send us an email to info@somocreative.co.nz with ‘Peter Rabbit’ in the subject line and tell us who you’d take to this flick. Entries close March 25.

DVD: MAUDIE Sally Hawkins delivers another unforgettable performance as legendary Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis who, despite being crippled by rheumatoid arthritis and a boorish husband (Ethan Hawke), finds an outlet for her unbreakable creative spirit as a self-taught painter who begins decorating the interior of their house with happy pictures of how she wished the world was. An ultimately life-affirming and uplifting film. WIN! We have 2 copies of Maudie to giveaway. To enter, send us an email to info@somocreative.co.nz with ‘Maudie’ in the subject line and tell us your fave Sally Hawkins flick. Entries close March 31.

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/ ENTERTAIN ME

PLAYLIST

The killer tracks on high-rotation in the Cityscape office.

THE WAR ON DRUGS ‘Holding On’ A Deeper Understanding

Listening BOARDING HOUSE REACH, JACK WHITE Former White Stripes frontman Jack White follows up 2014’s Lazaretto this month with his third solo drop Boarding House Reach, jokingly describing it as “good gardening music or roofing music or, you know, back-alley stabbing music” – though the first singles, ‘Connected by Love’ and ‘Respect Commander,’ suggest anything but. The first brings a blues-rock-byway-of-gospel-singing vibe, while the latter weaves Detroit techno with a funky bass and sci-fi rock feel; if you’re listening to this in your garden, you’re having a garden party!

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE, THE WOMBATS

Reading

With one of the truest album titles of all time, UK rock trio The Wombats’ fourth outing sees the lads once again pushing the boundaries of alt-pop innovation. This synth-heavy hit maker (written from three corners of the world now the band are living in Oslo, LA and London) features 11 tracks which don’t so much forge

new ground on the ultramodern indie soundscape as they do bush-bash their way through. First single ‘Lemon to a Knife Fight’ melds their signature lyrical intensity with killer guitar riffs, delivering another anthem to their repertoire, while urgent indie pop reigns supreme on ‘Lethal Combination’, and ‘Out of my Head’ brings a new funk-tinged sound complete with a tricked-up bassline.

DARK LITTLE AGE, MGMT Just over 10 years ago, uni mates Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden dropped one of the seminal albums of the 2000s with Oracular Spectacular – a smacktalking pop sucker punch. Lukewarm receptions greeted follow ups Congratulations and the self-titled MGMT, but the band have made a return to form, channelling the off-kilter pop(ish) bangers that carved their name. Stand out tracks? The 80s electronic-fuelled title track, ode to excess ‘Days That Got Away’, and the Beach Boys-eque, down-tempo ‘Hand It Over’.

AT MY TABLE: A CELEBRATION OF HOME COOKING, NIGELLA LAWSON The domestic goddess and Whittaker’s frontwoman is back with a cook book filled with warming, comforting and inspirational recipes she loves to cook and, as a bonus, don’t require technique or expertise. As Nigella says: “Life is complicated, cooking doesn’t have to be”.

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30 SECONDS TO MARS ‘Walk on Water’ Single

WEEZER ‘Happy Hour’ Pacific Day Dream

DUAL ‘Stuck’ Single

JED PARSONS ‘Get Lost’ Single

BRAVE, ROSE MCGOWAN In this brilliantly-timed book given the current climate, the whistleblowing actress of Scream and TV’s Charmed tells her life story: born into one cult and coming of age in another (Tinseltown). A no-holds-barred memoir that has been described as “real as f*ck” on the voracious Hollywood machine.

Food & Drink

BAO DOWN

The humble cheeseburger gets a delicious makeover from the team at Sister Kong with their tricked-up new offering – the Bao Cheeseburger. This bodacious bad boy rocks a Canterbury wagyu beef pattie, Kewpie mayo, Maison Therese pickles, and a slab of molten American cheese crammed in a fluffy bao bun – hell yes! sisterkong.co.nz

CRAFT BREWS

We tap the beer-genius of Andy Teo and the Dux Central tribe for the top drops.

Well well Welles

Bringing another sweet venue to the south of the CBD, the welcoming hangout zone that is Welles Street can be found in (shocker!) Welles Street, where they’re serving up casual drinks, eats, and good times. On a mission to be a great inner-city local, they offer 18 beers on tap, NZ wines and a neat little selection of cocktails. If you’re peckish, you’ve got options aplenty; their menu covers swept-up bar snacks, sharing plates, meals (like the Grilled Pork Skewer with new potato salad, marinated peppers, burnt onion crema and salsa verde), souvlakis, and – yuss – rotisserie chicken marinated in their own Georgian salt rub. There’s a funky fit-out and awesome beer garden to boot; after work drinks it is! wellesstreet.co.nz

TERRACE NOVA We’re getting excited about all the new hospo options ramping up at The Terrace; high on the Cityscape ‘most anticipated’ list is the new venture from Dux legend Richard Sinke, Terrace Tavern, set to open around the same time we go to print. Richard’s promising a spectacular contemporary tavern fit-out bang in the middle of the development, with plenty of wood, an open kitchen, long bar, and a generous feeling of space. The Tavern will be embracing the idea of different zones – a space for dining, and a space for hanging out with friends sinking a few of the Dux range of beers – and a fresh new bistro menu will offer something for every taste. Look for DJs to kick things into gear late nights! FB/theterracetavern

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What’s good, y’all?! Working in a bar that offers more beers than the seconds in three-and-a-half-minutes, I’m often asked “Can I get a beer?”. Some of those people are often apprehensive about trying anything other than generic beer, but there are some who you can sense are craft-curious. McLeod’s Lager, I’ve recently found, is one of those beers I’d offer to satiate such folk. The subtle hop presence is intriguing enough to entice those who pursue hops. What follows is a delicate, honey-dip sweetness finished by a lemon drop crispness. If you’re a person that doesn’t work off taste descriptors, then it drinks like lounging on a deckchair at 6pm in late February on the verandah – summertime fine! So I hope you ain’t afraid to hold heat, cause this has all that good stuff. duxcentral.co.nz

/ FOOD & DRINK

REVIEW

Waipara Hills Café

780 Glasnevin Road, SH1, Waipara, 03 314 6900, waiparahillswines.co.nz It’s the perfect Sunday afternoon. Glorious sunshine floods the well-manicured courtyard as the late summer breeze frosts glasses of award-winning wines with condensation, on our plates are exquisitely matched showcases of the season’s finest produce – then there’s the view. We’re tucked behind Waipara Hills’ sandstone building with its cathedral leanings, and are looking out over undulating neatly-rowed vines, lush rolling hills, and across to the Kaikoura Ranges. It’s one of those places/ moments where time is no longer relevant, and a spot worthy of Bacchus himself. Having been expertly guided through a flight of wines courtesy of the disarmingly charming cellar door legend that is Dennis Farr, we also picked up some tips on

enjoying Pinot Noir in balmier weather (lightly chill), and it’s allowed us to lock in a few favourites to enjoy alongside what has all the makings of a blissfully long lunch. We’ve seen eye-widening platters piled high with gourmet goodies ferried to tables, along with delectable breads (the baked brie looks particularly appealing) and some bodacious pork sliders, but we opt for the more traditional menu, and settle in. Ordinarily wines are matched to meals, but when they’re coming from a library as lauded as that of Waipara Hills, it appears head chef Dylan Amyes is working around Andrew Brown’s wines instead. It suits us, as our selections are as much based on the matching wines as they are on the meals, and it makes for effortless ordering. Entrées of Scallops (all velvety creamy morsels, their delicate flavours beautifully burnished by the sweet nuttiness of an addictive macadamia nut cream and the punchy, smoky goodness of a pea and bacon crumb salad) and Marinated Goat’s Cheese (a symphony of sticky sweet onion jam joined by the earthy lanolin notes of the cheese, with the crisp acid profile of green apples and candied walnuts also

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working to make the hero sing) arrive with glasses of both a crisp Waipara Hills Pinot Gris and the wine of the moment, the deservedly gong-laden Equinox Riesling, which effortlessly seduces with its supple charms and lime aromas. Having been impressed by the buttered toast notes and teasingly light oakiness of the Waipara Valley Chardonnay during the tasting, I select its partner in crime the Prawn Linguini, and discover some next-level gastronomic genius that pairs the gentle heat of succulent fat prawns (the kind that satisfyingly ‘pop’ when you bite them) with creamy, salty feta, the whole shebang freshened with a burst of coriander micro greens. Similarly, the grilled Halloumi is squeakily moreish, with a sublime carrot and cashew puree and spicy rocket salad – a sip of the Waipara Valley Rosé knocks it out of the park. We seek the counsel of our preternaturally attentive waiter James Francis when it comes to dessert – we’re looking for something that looks as good as it tastes, and the Chocolate Marquise more than delivers. A winning trifecta of silken dark chocolate, tart raspberries and vanilla bean-infused mascarpone, it’s a dreamy dessert that ticks all the boxes, while a cardamom chocolate crumble adds an exotic flourish. It’s all crowned with the golden, stained-glass glow of a spun sugar halo. We draw out the moment, savouring the honeyed notes of the matching Equinox Late Harvest Riesling as the shadows run long through the vineyards.

REVIEW

Kum Pun Thai Restaurant 73 Victoria Street, 03 365 5494, kumpunthai.com

Stressed out? Before you even start eating, Kum Pun Thai’s atmosphere is designed to get you to unwind. A leaf-covered ceiling and gently drifting floral pieces on their indoor water feature conjure an intimate, calm, and almost Zen-like atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy their tasty menu of Thai classics and special signature dishes. Stylish black fittings, dark floor panels and bird-cage-style light shades complete the overall look, which suggests we haven’t come into a restaurant for dinner so much as strolled into a Buddhist hermit’s chilled and cosy cave retreat. We settle in and cast our eyes over the starters, electing to kick things off with the Thai classic that is Tom Yum soup and a house special, the Kum Pun Sea Star. Banish any thoughts of a seafood dish, though; named not for ingredients but instead for its shape, this Thai-inspired take on a wonton sees tasty, tender minced chicken awaiting beneath a star-pool casing filled with Thai red curry sauce with a hum – it’s an ingenious, tasty little package that

positively screams out “Have more than one!” in an insistently elbow-your-friendsaside tone, and with three in a serving, there’s a definite fight on for the last one on the plate. The battle over this delectable entrée almost threatens to derail the calm of the restaurant, but fortunately a truce can be reached thanks to the soup. We’ve opted for the prawn option to add a seafood flavour kick to the sour and spicy broth and its heady mix of chilli, lemon, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and mushrooms, and it’s a good call; moreish and filling, the soup entices with its tangy Thai flavours, and vanishes almost as fast as the sea stars. As a combination, it’s a mighty warm-up act, but we’re not calling time yet; the prawns in the Tom Yum were such a hit that we order up more in the form of the chef-recommended (and a popular customer favourite, we’re told) Choo Chee Prawns. Enormous, succulent Bangkokstyle king prawns are cooked with lime

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leaves, chillies and coconut milk, while a rich choo chee (red curry) sauce is ladled over to finish things off. We pair it with Kum Pun’s own rather special version of Massaman Curry, which features an entire slow-braised lamb shank (positively melting off the bone) served up with a sweet potato mash and – joy! – crispy noodles, all in the delicious traditional curry sauce. It’s a rich, meaty delight that will have you singing the praises of the 17th Century Central Thailand Court of Ayutthaya, where the dish is thought to have originated – and this version still seems very much fit for royalty. We’re approaching ‘the wall’, but enough room remains to split a black sticky rice pudding, served with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkling of cashews to add crunch. It’s some very full diners that stagger out into Victoria Street – moderation is all very well, but the problem was that it was just too hard to stop eating!

PERFECT PAIRINGS Cityscape compiles some killer, must-try matches for your gastronomic enjoyment. Jonny Schwass’ Freshly Shucked Oysters & Black Estate Young Vines Chardonnay 2017

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Sweet & Savage Donuts & Greystone Basket Star Riesling 2013 Kung Fu Dumplings & The Bone Line Pink Noise Rosé 2017 Hector Henderson’s BBQed Lambs’ Hearts & Terrace Edge Syrah 2013

Cityscape checks out the fine wines, eats and music on offer at the annual foodie pilgrimage that is the North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAYHAUSS Calling all wine connoisseurs (or more informally, lovers of liquid grape) and self-proclaimed foodies – the coolest little wine and food festival in the country is back, better than ever, and set to showcase some seriously impressive beats, eats and drinks this month. North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival is set in the sublime Glenmark Domain, and attendees will be spoilt for choice while wandering under the idyllic oaks, with over 30 gourmet food and beverage stalls available to satisfy the palate and even the fussiest of eaters. Powerhouses such as Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, The Bone Line, Black Estate and Greystone Wines will be in attendance, all vying for your undivided attention as they entice you with their award-winning wines. Foodies can enjoy and sample an eclectic range of noms from the likes of aesthetically ‘gram-able platter royalty Bespoke Platter

and dynamic duo Morgan and Andy of Vagabond Chefs, and the bold can even dabble in some Lemongrass Ants from the folks at Anteater! Those looking to expand their North Canterbury gastronomic repertoire can tap the genius of those in the know and discuss hot topics in the Lincoln University Talk Tent, where food producer and winemaker pairings include celeb chef Sam Mannering, Bearlion Foods’ Alesha Bilbrough-Collins, Black Estate’s Nicholas Brown and The Bone Line’s Vic Tutton, among others. Cruise into the arvo with some sweet tunes; on the main stage you’ll find headliners The Eastern rocking the festival with a signature high-octane set, or if you’re feeling like grooving next to the decks, check out seasoned journeyman of Kiwi DJ and dance culture Simon Kong and local ambient electronica pair Plantgril and Sheldon Williams. Those on a constant losing streak of paper, scissors, rock for who has to sober drive, fear not! Bus services departing various stops dotted around the city and from Hanmer Springs to the festival are available to ensure everyone has the chance to safely enjoy what is shaping up to be an epic day. North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival, Glenmark Domain, Mar 11, ncwineandfood.co.nz CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ March 18

Anteater’s Lemongrass Ants & Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon 2015 The Paella Fella’s Spanish Paella & Tongue in Groove Little Stomper 2016 (Orange Wine!)

THE PLAYLIST Plan your day around the Main Stage action. BRYONY MATTHEWS 10:30am CHRIS WILLIAM 11:30am SWAN SISTERS 12:45pm THE GOLDONIES 1:45pm THE EASTERN 3:30pm

/ THE LAST WORD

Death Becomes Him Cityscape catches up once again with international opera star and former Christchurch lad (and accountant!) Teddy Tahu Rhodes – who’s playing the nefarious Baron Scarpia in New Zealand Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca – on the joys of playing baddies and dying on stage.

PEOPLE HAVE LOVED TO HATE SCARPIA SINCE THE OPERA DEBUTED; HOW DO YOU APPROACH A ROLE LIKE THAT? Whatever role I approach, I just try and play the moment and what’s on the page – so much of it’s in the music with opera. I take the mood from the music and what I’m saying. Less is more; you don’t want to caricature something villainous. It’s easier to play him without trying to be villainous. HOW MUCH FUN IS IT PLAYING THE BAD GUY? It’s great because it takes you out of yourself; you hope you’re not like that in normal life! It’s the nature of my voice box and age – the older I get, and with my voice type, those sorts of roles are generally written for someone like me. I don’t generally play the romantic lead, that’s for sure! WHERE HAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR THE CHARACTER COME FROM? You have to come into a production pretty open-minded, because you have a director who has a certain take on the role and how they want the production to look and feel, and you collaborate with them. It’s more about trusting yourself and bringing something new to it. WHAT IS IT ABOUT TOSCA’S CHARACTER THAT IS SO BEGUILING TO SCARPIA? She is the ultimate diva – in operatic terms, that’s the whole thing. She’s the ultimate prize, but it’s more about power. The whole thing is about power and conquest for Scarpia. It’s not romantic, and that’s what makes him vile. His initial aims aren’t about

his conquest of Tosca – it’s about capturing the escaped jailbird – but his way to him is through her, and he takes on this really vile character. THIS STAGING RESETS THE ORIGINAL STORY FROM THE NAPOLEONIC ERA TO 1950S ITALY. WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT BRINGS TO THE PRODUCTION? It’s great – it still feels very in sync with what it might have been back in the original era. It’s a very simple but true take on it. It’s not bringing it too far forward that it’s not believable. In terms of the music and the story, it’s such glorious music – really majestic and dramatic music, which has made the opera loved for many, many years. WHAT IS IT ABOUT PUCCINI’S WORK THAT MAKES IT SO ENDURING? Puccini wrote La Bohème, Madame Butterfly and Tosca, and when you look at the stories, they’re not stories that are necessarily beautiful, they’re more tragic. I think it’s the music that touches us, and drama touches us as well. Puccini’s music in Tosca is amazing, and when you hear it live with an orchestra, taking the performers out of it and looking at it from the outside, hearing the orchestra play is just fantastic.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DIED ON STAGE, AND WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE DEATH? I die in most productions I’m in! The most confronting was the opera Dead Man Walking, which was based on the book and the movie, because it played out in a way that was almost real, in the way that death row is conducted in the States. Every night that was something which was emotionally powerful to me as an individual – it had a profound effect on me and how I personally view that process. HAVE YOU EVER USED YOUR ACCOUNTANCY SKILLS IN THE OPERA WORLD? You know what, I used to love being an accountant – I had a great job. I don’t think I’ve really utilised it [in opera] though, because I hand over everything to someone who does it for me! WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO OFFSTAGE WHEN YOU’RE BACK IN CHRISTCHURCH? I’ve got a lot of family and friends in Christchurch, so I’m looking forward to catching up with them – old uni mates – and just immersing myself back in Christchurch. I love coming back there, it’s my home. It’s where I reinvigorate my soul. There’s something very precious about your home, I think. It’s just beautiful to walk the streets. I’m going back to my old school to see my nephew who is there now – all those things that you can’t get anywhere else but home.

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