Young ages bound for the big stages

Nearly 900 young performers are set to converge on Marlborough’s ASB Theatre for five days of music, dance and theatre.

Organisers are hoping for local audience support when the 78th instalment of the Marlborough Performing Arts Competitions (MPACS) takes place from Friday to Tuesday, with the music competition across Friday and Saturday in the Whitehaven Room and the dance/theatre competition on the ASB Theatre stage from Saturday to Tuesday.

Marlborough Performing Arts Competitions Society committee member Camilla Piper says the feeling around the committee is one of excitement as 690 dance entrants and 198 music entrants count down the final days until they take to the stage.

“It’s a lovely competition, as alongside local competitors we have competitors travelling from all over New Zealand, from Auckland to Invercargill and everywhere in between, to take part in this celebration of all performing arts together,” said Camilla.

“It’s great performing arts are getting celebrated and supported by fantastic out-of-town judges - Cheyanne Teka for dance and Ben Knight for music - and we’ve been able to bring back speech and drama categories after a few dormant years thanks to a revival in musical theatre.

“But we often find that unless locals are involved in the clubs or have someone competing, they don’t realise it is on. All session ticket sales support the future of the competition.”

Camilla says MPACS draws in young performers due to the lure of the big stage.
“Seeing a whole load of performers across different events, solos, duos, trios, and troupes from across the country excited to come and compete is wonderful.

“We couldn’t make that happen without the support we get from Council’s sport and recreation community fund, Liquidaction, Embroidery Lab, Rightfolks, Caci, Multidig and Envision Aluminium.”

Tickets are $5 for a session, $2 for kids. See facebook.com/mpacs75 for a link to the full programme.