Standing Room Only for Sunday 31 May 2020

 

12:30 Waikato artists embracing diversity in a time of crisis 

Waikato artists are being asked to help to encourage unity in the region in the face of  escalating online bullying and racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a few days Creative Waikato will announce the ten artists whose submissions have been accepted for artworks that promote  kotahitanga: unity in the community. 

The idea is to use art both to education and to generate open conversations about Waikato being a place where ethnic diversity is celebrated.Lynn is joined by the Creative Waikato CEO and composer, Dr Jeremy Mayall and Jenny Nand who is the chairperson of Fijian Indian young professionals group Aks Collective and a member of the Waikato Community Funders Group. 

12:45 Line of Duty star Martin Compston on being "not bent" 

Filming of season 6 of the popular TV drama Line of Duty, following officers involved in investigating police corruption has been disrupted by the corona virus.Jed Mercurio has come up with dangerous situations and ethical dilemmas for his team of tenacious detectives who are determined to stamp out dodgy behaviour in the police force.

One of those officers is  the waist coat wearing Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott played by  Martin Compston. You might also have seen him playing the villanious serial killer Peter Manuel in the TV show In Plain Sight.

1:10 At The Movies

Dan Slevin is filling in for Simon Morris and he reviews The Lovebirds, a romantic comedy thriller about a couple whose plans to break up are thwarted by a conspiracy; Monos, An arthouse drama about child soldiers in Colombia with a mission to guard a precious hostage; and The Last Full Measure, a drama about the campaign to give a Medal of Honour to Air Force Staff Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger who saved over 60 soldiers in a Vietnam War gunfight.

1:33 Silent film-making in the age of lockdown 

Wanaka filmmaker Richard Sidey' is offering us the chance to reconnect with the world's wilderness areas, in his ambitious documentary spanning seven continents and filmed over 5 years. 

Elementa is the third in his trilogy called Speechless. There's no narration, he places his trust solely on his images and on an ambient soundtrack.Richard also goes against the tide by filming in black and white. 

He's safely  back home in picturesque Wanaka - and looking forward to Elementa is being shown as part of the upcoming and now on line DocEdge Film Festival. 

1:50 The 60th Anniversary of TV in Aotearoa 

Tomorrow marks the 60th anniversary of the first television broadcast in New Zealand. 

The first programming included an episode of Robin Hood, an interview with a ballerina and live music. Sounds like quite a two hours!

The old studios where the first broadcast was screened from is now home to the Gus Fisher Gallery which from the beginning of August will be presenting an exhibition about the first television in New Zealand. Lisa Beauchamp is the curator of that exhibition. 

2:06 The Laugh Track - Steven Lyons 

It's time for today's Laugh Track with actor, comedian and improviser Steven Lyons. He's performed all over the world and has now returned to Auckland after seven years in Chicago. He joins Lynn to play some his favourite comedy stylings. 

2:25 Abby Howells: HarleQueen 

Actor, writer and comedian Abby Howells had a new play about to hit the stage but lockdown has forced her to work on other projects.She is working with London based NZ producer Naomi Wallwork on a new screenplay and collaborating with kiwi performance legend Jo Randerson to write her own musical. 

Her comedy show HarleQueen saw her win the Best Emerging Artist award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival earlier this year. She was going to be bringing the show to the New Zealand Comedy Festival, but plans change. Somehow she's also finding time to finish her PhD in theatre and write comedy! 

2:40 Marolyn Krasner 

A novel written in part to help the author makes sense of the outcome of the 2016 US presidential election. Born in Los Angeles, Marolyn Krasner is now living in Palmerston North.  

Her novel's called The Radicals, and it follows a feminist activist who's on probation for assaulting homophobes. She's torn between staying out of trouble and challenging her estranged father who's become a white power supporter.

2:49 Rebecca Tansley funding local film making her own way 

She has a cast, a crew, the script and even some specially bred out of season lambs for her next film. And Rebecca Tansley has also raised more than 20-thousand dollars through the Boosted arts fundraising site for her next project. It's been a long time in the planning - but the theme of the film is right on topic.

3:06 Drama at 3 - Wings 

Our 3 O'clock Drama this week revisits the Junket Theatre production of Wings', by Jess Sayer. 'Wings' is about three sisters who, after a ten year separation, meet up to travel together to their mother's funeral. Wings is read by Darlene Mohekey. 

3.50 The Vivian Gallery closes its doors 

The Vivian art gallery in Matakana has had to close its doors for the last time because of the Covid-19 lockdown. The small Auckland town was always going to be a challenging spot for an art gallery, but Director Scott Lawrie had made it work, until the corona virus forced it to cancel planned shows and scheduled art fairs were cancelled.

Moving from the real gallery into the virtual world means The Vivian isn't entirely lost, but online galleries just aren't the same as looking at the real thing when it comes to art.