Poet Laureate of Aotearoa David Eggleton will present his comic and wry variations on Kiwiana in a poetry and song cabaret, along with stand-up storyteller and former bard of Christchurch Steve Thomas.
These veterans of the performance poetry scene are accompanied by musician Richard Wallis.
The title Say It With Flowers was inspired by English artist Banksy’s wall image of a youthful masked protester flinging not a Molotov cocktail, but a colourful bouquet of flowers.
The work represents hopes for a peaceful resolution to the global issues of our time.
Thomas said the Say it with Flowers show had a similar ethos, touching on "taboo subjects" such as politics, sport and religion, with wit and topicality.
Dunedin-based Eggleton has been a poetry performer since the 1980s, when he emerged on the punk rock scene on the pub circuit.
The "Kiwi ranter" and old-school rapper’s Pasifika heritage and passion for performance result in poems with a strong oral and rhythmic quality.
Thomas was raised in Wales, educated in London, and began his performing career on UK stages.
In New Zealand in the 1980s, he presented poetry cabaret show Pink Bits and Over the Wall and Out at rock festivals and on TVNZ.
More recently, he has been promoter and general manager for Arts on Tour NZ, as well as a performance poet and raconteur.
The Say it with Flowers show, presented by Arts on Tour, reaches the Dunedin Public Art Gallery this Sunday, November 8, at 3pm. Entry is free.
Arts on Tour liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and theatrical talent to country districts.
The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand as well as support from Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust of Southland, Interislander, Otago Community Trust, Rata Foundation and the Southern Trust.
