Today in New Zealand International Arts Festival history: The Prophet (2004) & Revolt of the Mannequins (2010)

Wow, we're getting towards the end of the Festival, aren't we! Well, there's still time for a few more shows - this one's Hone Kouka's play The Prophet from 2004, by Taki Rua Theatre; and a rare example of when I had to do an actual 'photo call' for a show, rather than being able to cover a rehearsal or show. I always resist doing that if I can, because I don't think you get the same emotional honesty in the images by getting actors to perform a quick bite of the show just for the camera; but sometimes, it's the only option.

Today in New Zealand International Arts Festival history: Out Of Order (2002), Akram Khan & Where We Once Belonged (2008)

Two shows and a workshop, today - first is Out Of Order, from the Out & About series in 2002. Looking at the photos, I remember the show pretty well - I feel like the performer was French, but of course the phone box was sourced & branded locally so it would look normal. I feel like he didn't speak during the show, but convinced members of the audience to help him at various points - getting up on the box, then passing him his briefcase, that sort of thing - and I think it was the most popular Civic Square show that year. Certainly the crowd on the steps was good, and enjoyed themselves! (Of course, could you do a show about trying to get into a phone booth now? Wouldn't someone just hand him their iPhone, if he needed to make a call!?)

Today in New Zealand International Arts Festival history: Gilberto Gil (2004), Battalion (2006) & Apollo 13 (2010)

Three shows today - well, actually, four really! From 2004 we've got both Gilberto Gil at the Events Centre, and a late-night set at the Festival Club (but I'm not sure who the band was that night, I was flying past on my way to the car ten years ago!).

Today in New Zealand International Arts Festival history: MTYLand & Sound Of Silence (2010)

Two shows from the same year (and the same day), today - plus a bonus photo of lovely Vi Blackburn, who has been ushering and selling programmes around Wellington for as long as anyone can remember. This is possibly the first photo I got of her in action, but I always tried to track her down at some point during each Festival.

Today in New Zealand International Arts Festival history: The Earth From Above (2006), Te Karakia (2008), & Michael James Manaia (2012)

A few different events today - a glimpse of the huge outdoor exhibition that opened Waitangi Park in 2006, Yann-Arthus Bertrand's photo series The Earth From Above, which I'd guess might be the Festival's biggest free event ever? Certainly the biggest I saw, in my time! It always seemed to be packed, and it was quite a large area - almost a shame it didn't become a permanent exhibition there.