Standing Room Only for Sunday 31 October 2021

12:15  Crime writers awards - whodunit in 2021?

The enduring appeal of crime novels that offer their readers genuine thrills and curveballs, compelling characters, just enough clues and not too many red herrings, is celebrated in the annual Ngaio Marsh Awards for crime fiction..

In its 12th year, the number of entries has soared - as have the number of awards.  This year credit is given to Best Novel, Best First Novel, Best Non-Fiction, and a new award this year for the popular YA/Kids readership, the Award for Younger Readers..

The awards cover homegrown mystery, thriller, crime, and suspense writing, and the winners are announced over the weekend.  Here is a list of all the finalists.

Lynn Freeman speaks to winners of the various Ngaio Marsh awards and looks at the future of the genre here.

PS  Next Saturday, Kim Hill will be talking to one of the nominees, Renee, who at 90 is still writing up a storm!

 

12:36  The changing face of New Zealand libraries

 

The country's librarians are about to meet to discuss how libraries have moved with the times, but why there's a lot more moving to do.

Their association LIANZA has organised a three-day conference with some international guests beaming in their keynote addresses.

But there are local presenters too anxious to start up conversations amongst their peers.  Lynn Freeman talks to two of them.

Maretha Smit Is the CEO of Diversity Works NZ, the national body for workplace diversity and inclusion. She is challenging libraries to reimagine their role and to help marginalised communities. 

Reid Perkins from Upper Hutt City Libraries will be talking about its efforts to archive the community's pandemic experiences through photographs and zoomed oral histories.
 

12:45  NZ Opera's plans for 2022

NZ Opera's had a 'mare of a year. 

Covid 19 of course disrupted the planned productions.  There were high-profile departures from its board, not to mention social media scorn poured on a planned opera about the unruly British travellers who came to Aotearoa and hit the headlines for their behaviour.

But the company's General Director, Thomas de Mallet Burgess, is not letting any of this deter him from announcing an ambitious programme for 2022.  He talks to Lynn Freeman about some highlights.

These include two new operas telling New Zealand stories-  and yes that includes the one about the tourists - a Verdi favourite, the restaging of Tim Finn's first opera, as well as some outdoor music concerts and a recital tour that will head around the country.   
 

1:10 At The Movies

This week Simon Morris reviews The Last Duel, Juniper and Julia.

 

1:33    Ravenscar House - a new repository of riches

The country's newest museum is about to open its doors in Ōtautahi Christchurch, revealling an extensive, previously private art collection that's been gifted to the city.

Ravenscar House Museum houses Susan and the late Jim Wakefield's art treasures, gathered over more than four decades - paintings, sculpture, designer furniture and antiquities.

Artists in the collection include Colin McCahon, Frances Hodgkins, Charles Goldie and Paul Dibble.

The new purpose-designed and built museum and art gallery sits on a former car-park which was donated to the project by the Christchurch City Council. 

Frances Lojkine is Susan's daughter and has been involved in the project from the start.  She tells Lynn Freeman why Susan and Jim were so determined to present this valuable collection to the people of Christchurch.

Ravenscar House Museum opens to the public on 8 November.
 

 

1:50   Auckland's alternative Film Festival - and it's entirely on-line

When the New Zealand International Film Festival reluctantly cancelled the Auckland sector, due to Covid Delta restrictions, a group of Tāmaki Makaurau film lovers refused to take it lying down.  

What they've done is set up an online alternative, using existing streaming and video-on-demand services.

And defying the International Festival's claim that it's impossible to juggle the demands of both online and cinemas, the Auckland Online Film Festival boasts 195 features and 18 shorts.

Simon Morris talks with Festival founder, Doug Dillaman, and to one of his guest curators - and someone well used to dealing with on-line and cinema hybrids - the Terror-Fi Festival's James Partridge.

For more information - including the Festival's complete programme click here.
 

2:06 The Laugh Track - Karen O'Leary

 

It was a TV spinoff from Taika Waititi and Jemain Clements' vampire spoof What we do in the shadows that gained an unexpected - and highly successful - life of its own.  And not just here.  Wellington Paranormal was reportedly the most-streamed show in the US a couple of months back.

The show follows Wellington cops Minogue and O'Leary - played by Karen O'Leary and Mike Minogue - as they take on "ghoulies, ghosties and long-legged beasties" around the Capital.  But often the highlights are just the two of them prattling!

Mike Minogue has already done his time on the Laugh Track, so today we're delighted to welcome his onscreen better half.  Karen O'Leary is our guest on the Laugh Track.

Her picks include Chris Parker, Tracy Ullman, Catherine Tate and Flight of the Conchords.

 

2:25  Kelcy Taratoa - behind the colourful pictures

Tauranga-based artist Kelcy Taratoa is one of a handful of contemporary Kiwi artists whose work's embedded in the school curriculum.

It's not surprising.  His comic book-inspired painting style and bright palette appeal to young people anyway.  But when they delve a bit deeper they discover there's real depth behind the striking images.

Art writer Dr Warren Feeney has worked with Kelcy and other admirers of his work to produce a new bilingual book named after one of the artists' best known bodies of work  Who Am I? …Episode 001

Kelcy Taratoa talks to Lynn Freeman about his upbringing and art education as well as his influences, his approach to painting, and how he's dared to go in a different direction in recent years. 

Who Am I? Episode 001 is published by Quentin Wilson, and produced with Tauranga Art Gallery and Toi-ohomai.

 

2:40  Novelist Jenni Francis borrows real-life immigration stories 

What happens when there are questions that only your father can answer, and you have no idea who he is?

That's Tom's predicament in The Other Side of the World, a novel by Jenni Francis, whose family emigrated to Aotearoa in the late 1950s.

Jenni has woven fact and coincidences from her own life into the book about Tom and his very protective and secretive mother, Coral. 

Jenni Francis has several Young Adults books to her name, but she tells Lynn Freeman this is her first venture into writing adult fiction.

The Other Side of the World by Jenni Francis is published by River Press.

 

2:49  Whiti Hereaka gives bird-woman Kurangaituku​ a voice

 

For almost a decade writer Whiti Hereaka has been fleshing out the mythical story of a monster bird woman.   The novel is called Kurangaituku - a name and story Whiti's known since childhood.

But that story has traditionally been told from the perspective of Hatupatu, the man she loved desperately but who ultimately betrayed her.

Whiti tells Kurangaituku's story in the first person - from when birds called her into existence to her love for Hatupatu, the upheaval that ravaged her world, and her time roaming the underworlds of Raohenga.

Whiti reads from the novel and talks to Lynn Freeman about her memories of then story and why it inspired her so much.

Kurangaituku is published by Huia. Whiti will be talking at the upcoming LitCrawl festival in Wellington.

 

 

3:06 Drama at 3 - Faith by Tom McCrory Part 2 

This is the second and final part of Tom McClory's play that explores the nature of love and belief

Music played in this show

Artist: Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band
Song:  Death cab for Cutie
Composer:  Stanshall
Album:  Gorilla
Label: EMI
Played at: 12.12

Artist: Bobbie Gentry
Song:  Ode to Billy Joe
Composer:  Gentry
Album: Best of the Capitol years
Label:  Capitol
Played at: 12.32

Artist: Tom Jones
Song:  Delilah
Composer:  Reed-Mason
Album: Delilah
Label: London
Played at: 1.07

Artist: The Band
Song:  Long Black Veil
Composer: Dill-Wilkin
Album: Music From Big Pink
Label:  Capitol
Played at: 1.43

Artist:  Serge Gainsbourg/Brigitte Bardot
Song: Bonnie and Clyde
Composer: Gainsbourg
Album: Initials SG: The Ultimate best of
Label: Mercury
Played at:  1.58

Artist:  Jimi Hendrix
Song: Hey Joe
Composer:  Roberts
Album: Are you experienced
Label: MCA
Played at: 2.58

Artist:  Ron Goodwin
Song: Murder she said
Composer:  Goodwin
Album: George Martin the early works
Label: Notnow
Played at:  3.58