Performing The Road That Wasn't There at the
Playhouse Theatre yesterday are (from left) Oliver de
Rohan, of Adelaide, Ralph McCubbin-Howell, of Wellington,
and Elle Wootton, of Wellington. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Crispin Hellion Glover landed in paradise yesterday. The
multifaceted American is passionate about nature, wildlife,
botanical gardens and architecture and was scampering around
Dunedin in delight as soon as his feet touched the ground.
In fact, he was having so much fun he forgot all about our
interview.
''I'm standing in the turret at the [Larnach] castle. The
view here is incredible,'' he said when he finally rang me at
dusk, from across the harbour.
''It's really beautiful here. It's my first time in New
Zealand and I didn't know what to expect.''
The 48-year-old film actor, director and screenwriter,
recording artist, publisher and author - described as ''one
of the most beguiling and intense actors of his generation''
- is known for his eccentric roles, such as George McFly in
Back To The Future and Andy Warhol in The
Doors.
He brings his acclaimed Big Slide Show and Films - Part 1
and 2 to the Fringe tonight and tomorrow night.
Artist Lew Walsh works on his 'Ex-Cons and Icons'
exhibition of Dunedin music identities, which will be
revealed today. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
''I've been showing this for eight years now and always
planned to visit as many countries as I could. New Zealand must
be the most remote English-speaking country there is,'' he
said.
The first segment features dramatic readings from a series of
picture books Glover produced between 1982 and 1992, which he
reworked from 1880 publications, such as the 1896 non-fiction
guide Studies in the Art of Rat Catching.
''I narrate eight different books in about one hour. They're
heavily illustrated and projected behind me.''
The reading is followed by one of the provocative and
challenging 35mm films from his uncompleted ''It'' trilogy;
It is fine! Everything is fine! tonight and What Is
It? tomorrow night. The two films are part of a trilogy
which Glover is in no hurry to conclude.
''Not for a long time. I've been working on the trilogy for
15 years now and need to step away for a bit.''
Then he is gone. Off to look for penguins and kiwis.
Crispin Hellion Glover's Big Slide Show and Films - Part 1
and 2 is on at the Red Lecture Theatre at 7pm today and
tomorrow. I popped into the Playhouse yesterday to see the
wonderful, original New Zealand fairy tale The Road That
Wasn't There.
''It's about a girl who walks down a paper road on a map and
finds herself in a paper world. It's quite dark, but not too
dark, like Margaret Mahy or Tim Burton,'' performer Ralph
McCubbin-Howell said.
I loved how the Fringe gatecrashed the iD Dunedin Fashion
Show last night. The Blue Oyster Gallery's Yellow Men (Jed
McCammon and Clarke Hegan) have been reinterpreting
performances from last year's Fringe and restaged Frocks on
Bikes for Dunedin's big fashion night.
The pair spent the evening cycling back and forth between the
Octagon and the railway station in a variety of ever-changing
yellow outfits.
The looks on the faces of some of the fashionistas was gold.
I'm looking forward to seeing artist Lew Walsh reveal his
exhibition of Dunedin music identities, ''Ex-Cons and
Icons'', in the Community Gallery at 2pm today. Heads in on
the act include Stephen Kilroy (Stephen, Heka), Chris Knox
(Toy Love), Shane Carter (Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer) and
Tristan Dingemans (HDU, Mountaineater).
- nigel.benson@odt.co.nz
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