WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE - LAURIE BAUER
The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Some people are outraged when others put the apostrophes in the wrong places. They feel that the rules are simple, and that getting these things right should not require any great thought, but simply a little care.
They say things like "the apostrophe shows possession, not plural" and "put the apostrophe before the 's' when there's just one possessor, and after it if there are several".
But the fact is that the rules for the apostrophe are far from simple, and that the simple rules – at least in the form in which I have quoted them – are not entirely accurate.
The first problem is that the use of apostrophes is subject to fashion. When I was in school in the 1960s, it was fashionable to write "1960's", but today it is fashionable to miss the apostrophe out.
Why did people write "1960's" with an apostrophe? It was a generalisation of the rule that anything that was not a real word should have an apostrophe before the plural marker. People wrote "&'s", "if's and but's", and "1960's". We would probably still write, "The teacher only gave seven A's in a class of a hundred". It's the same rule, but it has become more restricted over the last half-century.
At an even earlier period, it was also general to put an apostrophe after a foreign word that ended in a vowel other than "e". People used to write "cello's", "piano's" and "sonata's".
We no longer do that, though whether the people who write "pizza's" and "taxi's" as plurals are continuing the same (now no longer fashionable) usage or are just incompetent is a matter we could no doubt discuss.
There is clearly some incompetent usage: notices advertising "apple's", "cabbage's" and even "peach's" are so common that the phenomenon is known as the greengrocer's apostrophe, though it is not only greengrocers who get it wrong (and not all greengrocers do).
Then there's the matter of possession, and in particular the word "its". This will be treated by Janet Holmes in a future column, but it is not all plain sailing.
Then there's the question of plural possessors. "A girl's books" are owned by one girl, and if two girls own the books, we say, "Two girls' books". Easy.
But what if you want to say "two books that are intended for young females"; is it "two girl's books", "two girls' books" or "two girls books"? Less easy.
Even within academia, people are unsure whether to write "masters degrees", "master's degrees" or "masters' degrees".
And what if the aforementioned books were not owned by girls but by women? Then a woman's books and two women's books both have the apostrophe before the "s", even though one is singular and one is plural. Similarly if the women were alumnae: the alumnae's books.
Of course, it is relatively easy to tidy up these odds and ends, but it makes the point that you need to be very careful in specifying what the rule is if you will then expect people to follow the rule and not make errors.
When we get to proper names, all rules break down. It's St John's in Newfoundland, but St Helens in Lancashire and Washington State. The newspaper is Hawke's Bay Today, but it is Hawkes Bay Golf Club.
And if you look in the restaurant listings in Wellington's yellow pages, you can find listings for Ford's, Mano's, Maria Pia's and Scorpio's and also for Alfred Coles House, Charltons, Firemans Arms, Uncle Changs and for both Valentines and Valentine's (the same restaurant).
In other words, though we can all agree that the notice advertising Golden Deliciou's apples reported a few years ago in Britain contained an error, there are plenty of places where it is not easy to get it right.
And as a final example, consider the following: "in three months time" – should there be an apostrophe in "months" or not?
There is an answer here. Given that we would say "in one month's time" where the "s" cannot be plural and so must have an apostrophe, it must also be "in three months' time".
But would you have got that right?
* Laurie Bauer is a linguist from Victoria University.
* Send your questions about language to words@dompost.co.nz
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Monday, 26 May 2008
Bic Runga teams up with Flight of the Conchords
Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 25 May 2008
DOES THIS make Bic Runga New Zealand music's fifth most popular folk performer?
The Kiwi songstress told fans at an Auckland concert on Thursday she was off to Los Angeles to open for Flight of the Conchords.
"They're giving me my big break," she said of the comic duo who opened for her 2006 Birds tour and who have a running joke in their shows that they are New Zealand music's fourth most popular folk performers.
Now world-famous for their HBO hit series, the Conchords self-titled album recently debuted at number three in the United States.
Their upcoming LA gig May 30 and June 1 at The Orpheum has already sold out.
Runga, who performs independently in the city on June 17 and July 8, says her appearance is not set in concrete but when the pair heard she was going to be in Los Angeles, "they're like, get up, play some songs".
Runga invited the Conchords to tour with her two years ago, after seeing them perform in New York. "I just think they're genius."
DOES THIS make Bic Runga New Zealand music's fifth most popular folk performer?
The Kiwi songstress told fans at an Auckland concert on Thursday she was off to Los Angeles to open for Flight of the Conchords.
"They're giving me my big break," she said of the comic duo who opened for her 2006 Birds tour and who have a running joke in their shows that they are New Zealand music's fourth most popular folk performers.
Now world-famous for their HBO hit series, the Conchords self-titled album recently debuted at number three in the United States.
Their upcoming LA gig May 30 and June 1 at The Orpheum has already sold out.
Runga, who performs independently in the city on June 17 and July 8, says her appearance is not set in concrete but when the pair heard she was going to be in Los Angeles, "they're like, get up, play some songs".
Runga invited the Conchords to tour with her two years ago, after seeing them perform in New York. "I just think they're genius."
Saturday, 17 May 2008
SECOND HAND WEDDING
SECOND HAND WEDDING will have its World Premiere on May 7 at the Embassy Theatre.
With post production in full swing SECOND HAND WEDDING is in the best possible hands. From the edit room where Academy Award nominee Michael Horton (Lord Of The Rings -The Two Towers) weaves his magic, to post production sound which is supervised by Michael Hopkins and mixed by Mike Hedges both are Double Academy Award winners (Lord of the Rings – King Kong).
Geraldine Brophy shines in her role as bargain-hunting junkie, Jill. Most remembered for her role as Moira Crombie from New Zealand’s best loved drama Shortland Street. Multi talented Geraldine is also heavily involved in the New Zealand theatre scene with directing, producing and acting. In her subsequent 22 years in the industry she has played more than 150 roles on stage.
SECOND HAND WEDDING also stars Grant Roa from Whale Rider and Patrick Wilson alongside rising New Zealand talents Holly Shanahan and Ryan O’Kane.
Metropolis Films has been appointed as the distributor for SECOND HAND WEDDING. Co-Producer Nigel Stanford says "Gordon Adam of Metropolis Films was a standout choice. His excited response to the script and then the first cut of the film was music to our ears. His energy and enthusiasm for the film know no bounds, he was even selling SECOND HAND WEDDING to cinema operators three months before he had signed a contract with us.”
Gordon responds “As soon as I read the script I knew that SECOND HAND WEDDING was going to deliver a delicious slice of Kiwi life to cinemagoers throughout the country. Being based on real life events the story rings so true, and the payoff in the final scenes will have patrons leaving their local cinema with smiles on their faces.”
The premiere will be co-hosted by the Lions club of Silverstream Wellington as a fundraiser and the major beneficiary will be Ronald McDonald House.
With post production in full swing SECOND HAND WEDDING is in the best possible hands. From the edit room where Academy Award nominee Michael Horton (Lord Of The Rings -The Two Towers) weaves his magic, to post production sound which is supervised by Michael Hopkins and mixed by Mike Hedges both are Double Academy Award winners (Lord of the Rings – King Kong).
Geraldine Brophy shines in her role as bargain-hunting junkie, Jill. Most remembered for her role as Moira Crombie from New Zealand’s best loved drama Shortland Street. Multi talented Geraldine is also heavily involved in the New Zealand theatre scene with directing, producing and acting. In her subsequent 22 years in the industry she has played more than 150 roles on stage.
SECOND HAND WEDDING also stars Grant Roa from Whale Rider and Patrick Wilson alongside rising New Zealand talents Holly Shanahan and Ryan O’Kane.
Metropolis Films has been appointed as the distributor for SECOND HAND WEDDING. Co-Producer Nigel Stanford says "Gordon Adam of Metropolis Films was a standout choice. His excited response to the script and then the first cut of the film was music to our ears. His energy and enthusiasm for the film know no bounds, he was even selling SECOND HAND WEDDING to cinema operators three months before he had signed a contract with us.”
Gordon responds “As soon as I read the script I knew that SECOND HAND WEDDING was going to deliver a delicious slice of Kiwi life to cinemagoers throughout the country. Being based on real life events the story rings so true, and the payoff in the final scenes will have patrons leaving their local cinema with smiles on their faces.”
The premiere will be co-hosted by the Lions club of Silverstream Wellington as a fundraiser and the major beneficiary will be Ronald McDonald House.
A family affair
Fledgling Kiwi filmmaker Paul Murphy's debut feature, Second-Hand Wedding, was released on Thursday and he is bracing himself for the inevitable comparisons with his famous father.
"I put a yellow Mini in it so there's bound to be comparisons," he says with a chuckle.
Paul's dad is veteran filmmaker Geoff Murphy who has directed everything from Hollywood sequels to documentaries after making his name with groundbreaking New Zealand 70s movies Utu, The Quiet Earth and much-loved Goodbye Pork Pie which saw two larrikins drive straight into Kiwi hearts in a little yellow Mini.
Murphy Junior says the yellow Mini that appears in Second-Hand Wedding was something of a "happy accident" as the script originally called for a red version.
"But when we found the yellow one I thought it would be fun to put it in the movie and pay homage to my dad."
It also tickles him that the station-wagon Mini in his movie is a more 'middle-aged' version of the Pork Pie vehicle. The difference also provides a nice analogy for the differences in the two movies.
While Goodbye Pork Pie was a celebration of two male outsiders thumbing their noses at the world, Second-Hand Wedding stars Geraldine Brophy and is a humble, heartfelt celebration of family values.
Forty-five-year-old Paul Murphy has served a long apprenticeship to get to the stage of directing his first feature film. For 15 years he worked on various sets in the art department, lighting and as a key grip until 2004/2005, when he made the leap into the director's chair taking on TV commercials, a kids' series and six episodes of Sensing Murder.
It was creative impatience and the desire to get on and make a film without waiting for Creative New Zealand funding that made him take on a producer role for the film.
"I don't really subscribe to the idea that you should only make movies with a message or ones that you are really passionate about," he says.
"It is not deep and meaningful, it's a nice story about some real people that I wanted to share. I hope people are entertained and they like it."
Written by Kiwi scriptwriter Nick Ward (Stick Men), Second-Hand Wedding is set in small-town New Zealand and steeped in Kiwiana from the garage sale props to a cameo appearance by singer John Rowles. Murphy is full of praise for Rowles.
"He was really in his element when he sang. I reckon he could sing while he ate his dinner. We only did three takes and each one was great. The applause and response of the extras in the movie is real. It was a good moment in time."
Filming was a real family affair. Producer Kerry Robins is Paul Murphy's uncle, Kerry's mother Pat Robins served as script supervisor and Paul's daughter Ella played a small role. Nick Ward's mother provided props as well as inspiration and his father Brian was technical advisor for the Model-T Fords used in the film.
Despite the cosy set, and Paul following his father into the film industry, Murphy says he doesn't want his own children (he has four, aged from 7 to 18 years) to follow suit.
"I'd support them if they wanted to but I'd prefer it if they didn't," he admits. He says film sets are very insular and unlike the real world, and there is no job security, with gaps between projects common. He has worked on orchards, at a freezing works and as a builder and believes the blue-collar jobs have made him a better filmmaker.
While he doesn't want his kids to go into the business, Murphy is confident and content with his own career choices, saying the director role came easily to him.
"When you work on a set you think about how you would do things or talk to your mates about it. It was great to have the ultimate creative role and make all the calls."
And what does Dad think of the yellow Mini homage and his son's debut movie? "He was supportive and positive which is nice because everyone wants their parents to endorse them," he says.
But it wasn't all rosy accolades from Murphy senior, who told his son he shouldn't call the movie a comedy. "I think he was expecting a laugh riot but this is a more gentle comedy about the situations that real people can find themselves in. He said it's not a comedy, it's sentimental."
After facing his father's feedback, Murphy is looking forward to seeing how the New Zealand public responds to his movie. Then he'll take it to Cannes to see if it can get on the festival circuit or picked up by international distributors.
Ultimately, he hopes Second-Hand Wedding will lead to other directing jobs. He also has six more feature films of his own in various stages of development. And with a western, a horror-thriller and a period drama in the line-up, it looks like he could have a career as versatile as his father's.
5:00AM Saturday May 17, 2008
By Shannon Huse
"I put a yellow Mini in it so there's bound to be comparisons," he says with a chuckle.
Paul's dad is veteran filmmaker Geoff Murphy who has directed everything from Hollywood sequels to documentaries after making his name with groundbreaking New Zealand 70s movies Utu, The Quiet Earth and much-loved Goodbye Pork Pie which saw two larrikins drive straight into Kiwi hearts in a little yellow Mini.
Murphy Junior says the yellow Mini that appears in Second-Hand Wedding was something of a "happy accident" as the script originally called for a red version.
"But when we found the yellow one I thought it would be fun to put it in the movie and pay homage to my dad."
It also tickles him that the station-wagon Mini in his movie is a more 'middle-aged' version of the Pork Pie vehicle. The difference also provides a nice analogy for the differences in the two movies.
While Goodbye Pork Pie was a celebration of two male outsiders thumbing their noses at the world, Second-Hand Wedding stars Geraldine Brophy and is a humble, heartfelt celebration of family values.
Forty-five-year-old Paul Murphy has served a long apprenticeship to get to the stage of directing his first feature film. For 15 years he worked on various sets in the art department, lighting and as a key grip until 2004/2005, when he made the leap into the director's chair taking on TV commercials, a kids' series and six episodes of Sensing Murder.
It was creative impatience and the desire to get on and make a film without waiting for Creative New Zealand funding that made him take on a producer role for the film.
"I don't really subscribe to the idea that you should only make movies with a message or ones that you are really passionate about," he says.
"It is not deep and meaningful, it's a nice story about some real people that I wanted to share. I hope people are entertained and they like it."
Written by Kiwi scriptwriter Nick Ward (Stick Men), Second-Hand Wedding is set in small-town New Zealand and steeped in Kiwiana from the garage sale props to a cameo appearance by singer John Rowles. Murphy is full of praise for Rowles.
"He was really in his element when he sang. I reckon he could sing while he ate his dinner. We only did three takes and each one was great. The applause and response of the extras in the movie is real. It was a good moment in time."
Filming was a real family affair. Producer Kerry Robins is Paul Murphy's uncle, Kerry's mother Pat Robins served as script supervisor and Paul's daughter Ella played a small role. Nick Ward's mother provided props as well as inspiration and his father Brian was technical advisor for the Model-T Fords used in the film.
Despite the cosy set, and Paul following his father into the film industry, Murphy says he doesn't want his own children (he has four, aged from 7 to 18 years) to follow suit.
"I'd support them if they wanted to but I'd prefer it if they didn't," he admits. He says film sets are very insular and unlike the real world, and there is no job security, with gaps between projects common. He has worked on orchards, at a freezing works and as a builder and believes the blue-collar jobs have made him a better filmmaker.
While he doesn't want his kids to go into the business, Murphy is confident and content with his own career choices, saying the director role came easily to him.
"When you work on a set you think about how you would do things or talk to your mates about it. It was great to have the ultimate creative role and make all the calls."
And what does Dad think of the yellow Mini homage and his son's debut movie? "He was supportive and positive which is nice because everyone wants their parents to endorse them," he says.
But it wasn't all rosy accolades from Murphy senior, who told his son he shouldn't call the movie a comedy. "I think he was expecting a laugh riot but this is a more gentle comedy about the situations that real people can find themselves in. He said it's not a comedy, it's sentimental."
After facing his father's feedback, Murphy is looking forward to seeing how the New Zealand public responds to his movie. Then he'll take it to Cannes to see if it can get on the festival circuit or picked up by international distributors.
Ultimately, he hopes Second-Hand Wedding will lead to other directing jobs. He also has six more feature films of his own in various stages of development. And with a western, a horror-thriller and a period drama in the line-up, it looks like he could have a career as versatile as his father's.
5:00AM Saturday May 17, 2008
By Shannon Huse
8:17AM Thursday May 15, 2008
Your Views
Elton John's skill as a performer is that he manages to deliver an unpredictable and diverse show, while leaving the crowd in want of nothing.
This week he played at Auckland's the Vector Arena. Here is the latest of Your Reviews:
Helene Roberts (Birkenhead)
What a brilliant event! Last night was the 5th Elton John concert I have attended, and as usual, he was purely brilliant. I could not sit still. From the moment he came out I was either on the edge of my seat dancing, or standing up and moving as my body saw fit to the music, singing along to every song. Eventually everyone was up and dancing and you could see Elton feed off the energy of the crowd.
His voice has not faded over the years. He may not be able to reach all the high notes, but his voice is as powerful and soulful as ever, blowing my mind every time I hear it live.
As the previous reviewer said, there weren't many twenty somethings drunk. In fact from where I was sitting, it was the older crowd that was having a grand old time with the alcohol, including the lady sitting next to me who was slurring all the words as she sang! It didn't matter, she was enjoying herself and that is what it's all about. I am one such twenty-something who was not drunk 'Elton's music gets me on a musical high which is better than any alcohol!
For all those that didn't attend and are reading this, trust us (those who attended)
McManus (Balmoral)
I have not been to a concert since Cher in 2005 and never to the Vector Arena until last night, but wow was it worth going. Elton was electrifying and did not disappoint. We were fortunate to only be 20 rows from the front and it was great to see the queen of England in all his regal majesty. Despite the review I love the extended jam of Rocket Man and the longer versions of most of his 70s crowd pleasers, it sounds so much better than it would on an album, and Elton's voice and intense honky tonk piano skills ensured the songs sounded as fresh as ever. We may have not been dancing at the start but we were stamping along to the beat and by the time Philadelphia Freedom and Saturday night came on the entire floor was in movement. There were a lot of die hard fans there and the atmosphere was amazing, very few drunken twentysomething, but mostly middle class people from their 30s to their 70s, my companion is 67 and he was dancing like an excited teenager. Besides Elton his band was amazing especially Davey Johnstone who played no less than six different guitars and a banjo. This is not ego, this is pure music, Elton looked and sounded fantastic, a great night. Thanks Sir Elton!
Your Views
Elton John's skill as a performer is that he manages to deliver an unpredictable and diverse show, while leaving the crowd in want of nothing.
This week he played at Auckland's the Vector Arena. Here is the latest of Your Reviews:
Helene Roberts (Birkenhead)
What a brilliant event! Last night was the 5th Elton John concert I have attended, and as usual, he was purely brilliant. I could not sit still. From the moment he came out I was either on the edge of my seat dancing, or standing up and moving as my body saw fit to the music, singing along to every song. Eventually everyone was up and dancing and you could see Elton feed off the energy of the crowd.
His voice has not faded over the years. He may not be able to reach all the high notes, but his voice is as powerful and soulful as ever, blowing my mind every time I hear it live.
As the previous reviewer said, there weren't many twenty somethings drunk. In fact from where I was sitting, it was the older crowd that was having a grand old time with the alcohol, including the lady sitting next to me who was slurring all the words as she sang! It didn't matter, she was enjoying herself and that is what it's all about. I am one such twenty-something who was not drunk 'Elton's music gets me on a musical high which is better than any alcohol!
For all those that didn't attend and are reading this, trust us (those who attended)
McManus (Balmoral)
I have not been to a concert since Cher in 2005 and never to the Vector Arena until last night, but wow was it worth going. Elton was electrifying and did not disappoint. We were fortunate to only be 20 rows from the front and it was great to see the queen of England in all his regal majesty. Despite the review I love the extended jam of Rocket Man and the longer versions of most of his 70s crowd pleasers, it sounds so much better than it would on an album, and Elton's voice and intense honky tonk piano skills ensured the songs sounded as fresh as ever. We may have not been dancing at the start but we were stamping along to the beat and by the time Philadelphia Freedom and Saturday night came on the entire floor was in movement. There were a lot of die hard fans there and the atmosphere was amazing, very few drunken twentysomething, but mostly middle class people from their 30s to their 70s, my companion is 67 and he was dancing like an excited teenager. Besides Elton his band was amazing especially Davey Johnstone who played no less than six different guitars and a banjo. This is not ego, this is pure music, Elton looked and sounded fantastic, a great night. Thanks Sir Elton!
Everyone has a favourite Elton John song.
:00AM Thursday May 15, 2008
By Joanna Hunkin
He didn't say much, but Elton John enjoyed himself in his first Auckland show for 10 years. Photo / Dean Purcell
Everyone has a favourite Elton John song.
It's a track intrinsically tied to a certain memory that transports you to back to that time and place, evoking the thoughts and feelings of that moment.
Looking around Vector Arena last night as Sir Elton performed his first Auckland show in 10 years, you could see each and every individual reliving those memories.
Their wedding dance to Your Song, crying broken- hearted tears to Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, drunken karaoke to Tiny Dancer ...
It was a slow builder of a show, with the crowd barely moving for the first hour.
But with three hours of stage time, Sir Elton could afford to let things simmer.
It wasn't that the audience didn't enjoy the opening third, rather, they were simply mesmerised by the Piano Man's pure musical talent and magnetism.
As he kicked up his heels, jumping over his piano stool and launching into The Bitch Is Back, the crowd settled in to a comfortable trance, watching Sir Elton come alive as he absorbed the life force of his music.
Most concerts are a shared experience, but last night was a strangely solitary event.
Each audience member focussed on his or her own personal responses to Elton's sprawling repertoire, including a hyper-extended version of Rocket Man that clocked in at well over 10, possibly even 15 minutes.
That song came midway through the show as Sir Elton, having sufficiently teased the audience with various instrumental segues and showed off his prowess on the piano, began to reel of his biggest ballads, including Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel and Sacrifice.
It wasn't until the latter third, when Sir Elton cranked out his party hits Crocodile Rock and Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting that the crowd became a cohesive unit, dancing raucously to Elton's honky tonk piano.
The star had few words to say to his audience, apart from some brief commentary on his different album eras and the obligatory introductions of the band.
But it didn't matter. His beaming smile and extensive hand gestures said it all - he was having a grand old time, and he knew we were too.
It would have been easy for Sir Elton to deliver a non-stop hit parade, check all the boxes and leave.
But such is his skill as a performer that he managed to deliver an unpredictable and diverse show, while leaving the crowd in want of nothing.
He even signed autographs for the front row before going back for a brief encore.
Not only is Sir Elton still standing, he is still remarkable.
Everyone has a favourite Elton John song. And everyone should be so lucky as to see him perform it live in concert.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=328&objectid=10510252
By Joanna Hunkin
He didn't say much, but Elton John enjoyed himself in his first Auckland show for 10 years. Photo / Dean Purcell
Everyone has a favourite Elton John song.
It's a track intrinsically tied to a certain memory that transports you to back to that time and place, evoking the thoughts and feelings of that moment.
Looking around Vector Arena last night as Sir Elton performed his first Auckland show in 10 years, you could see each and every individual reliving those memories.
Their wedding dance to Your Song, crying broken- hearted tears to Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, drunken karaoke to Tiny Dancer ...
It was a slow builder of a show, with the crowd barely moving for the first hour.
But with three hours of stage time, Sir Elton could afford to let things simmer.
It wasn't that the audience didn't enjoy the opening third, rather, they were simply mesmerised by the Piano Man's pure musical talent and magnetism.
As he kicked up his heels, jumping over his piano stool and launching into The Bitch Is Back, the crowd settled in to a comfortable trance, watching Sir Elton come alive as he absorbed the life force of his music.
Most concerts are a shared experience, but last night was a strangely solitary event.
Each audience member focussed on his or her own personal responses to Elton's sprawling repertoire, including a hyper-extended version of Rocket Man that clocked in at well over 10, possibly even 15 minutes.
That song came midway through the show as Sir Elton, having sufficiently teased the audience with various instrumental segues and showed off his prowess on the piano, began to reel of his biggest ballads, including Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel and Sacrifice.
It wasn't until the latter third, when Sir Elton cranked out his party hits Crocodile Rock and Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting that the crowd became a cohesive unit, dancing raucously to Elton's honky tonk piano.
The star had few words to say to his audience, apart from some brief commentary on his different album eras and the obligatory introductions of the band.
But it didn't matter. His beaming smile and extensive hand gestures said it all - he was having a grand old time, and he knew we were too.
It would have been easy for Sir Elton to deliver a non-stop hit parade, check all the boxes and leave.
But such is his skill as a performer that he managed to deliver an unpredictable and diverse show, while leaving the crowd in want of nothing.
He even signed autographs for the front row before going back for a brief encore.
Not only is Sir Elton still standing, he is still remarkable.
Everyone has a favourite Elton John song. And everyone should be so lucky as to see him perform it live in concert.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=328&objectid=10510252
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Walnut the Clown
Hi, I am Walnut the Clown, Auckland's friendliest Clown, based in the city of
Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Clown. Auckland Clown.
I have been a Children's Entertainer for 28 years having trained in Circus,
Children's Theater, Magic, Puppetry, Balloon Twisting, Walk-about and Busking.
I have toured both the North and South Islands of New Zealand 15 times,
visiting communities as far south as Stewards Island and as far north as Spirits
Bay. Some schools had rolls as low as 10 pupils but I am willing to perform
anywhere.
I have also worked in France, Italy, Brazil, Easter Island, Australia and Vanuatu.
I am primarily a children's entertainer specialising in Pre-Schools and Primary
Schools (Ages 3 to 7) but I can also work intimately with adults in a casual
environment such as a party or restaurant.
I prefer to work with small audiences in intimate environs but have also
successfully performed on large stages.
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