Paul and I were given tickets to the Mayoral Benefit Concert for Kawiti Waetford. You may ask yourself.......... who?
Well take note of that name.

Kawiti is an 18 year old young man from Whangarei, who has been studying Opera under Joan Kennaway for a number of years. He has completed High School, and is off next week to the UK as a member of the Shakespeare Globe Centre ( New Zealands Shakespearean Company). Kawiti plans to study Classical singing, with the intention of becoming a Opera Singer.

Paul and I have never been to anything like last nights show. The before show drinks and nibbles was littered with the glitteratti of Whangarei. Rubbing shoulders with the so called Elite was a bit novel for both of us, Paul and I didn't do to badly I thought. After restraining Paul from drinking tooooo many glasses of Red wine on an empty stomach ( Yes, we forgot about having dinner) We made our way into the theatre. To our surprise we were up in the Gallery overlooking the whole lot ( bloody cool, I could have spit on the audience). So we were on our best behaviour, trying to look like we belonged. The show was wonderful, Opera North, Joan Kennaway, Kawiti Waetford, Jon Chen ( Kawiti's accompianist, also 18yrs) all involved were magnificent.
The show was a selection of Opera, Light Opera and Musical songs. Sung by Kawiti, Joan, and the members of Opera North. At the end they did a medley of songs from "Les Miserables", one song that Kawiti did with a Lady ( a death scene song) bought me to tears. They sang with such depth and emotion, It was wonderful.

Paul and I came away from the evening, floating. We were both surprised at how much we loved the performances, and the whole flamboyant evening. Little sleepy old Whangarei can put on a pretty good event when they try.