I loved `Stepping Out'.

Variety shows, especially `old time musical halls', are great fun for amateur theatre goers. And whereas a musical has everyone in the cast singing and dancing - to have a combination of recitation, dancing, singing and comedy is a wonderful showcase of people's talent.

We are blessed with a couple of local theatrical companies up here, in Whangarei, so we always seem to have a show or drama to go to; plus the colleges up here put on a show or two as well. There's a lot of talent about.

Prior to joining the `Stepping Out' cast, had you done much theatre, Pixie? Are you still involved in any way with theatre?

Hi GG, before Stepping Out I performed in many shows, both plays, pantomimes, music halls etc. And if I wasn't in the play I could be found backstage doing props, prompt, dressing actors or front of house doing all those things like selling programmes, ushering (usheretting!) or working in the bar. Did lots in the mid 70's to late 80's when I was a free spirit! Then I got re-married and moved away from Whakatane. I don't live far from Whk as you can see but hate travelling at night and that's when all the rehearsals take place let alone the performances. Cheers Pixie

I've sung in choirs but when it came to the theatre I did anything and everything that didn't involve stepping on the stage.

The best Live show was CATS with Tina Cross in the 80s at Christchurch town hall.cheers jean010

I saw Tina Cross in a night club once. Boy, is she a dynamo! Amazing talent!

Last year she appeared in a Christmas concert in Whangarei. Again, she stole the show.

I can recall seeing her being interviewed when she won the role in `Cats' but I never went to see it.

Do you enjoy going to shows regularly or do you `pick and choose'?

I saw the stage show "Anything Goes" by the Victorian State Oprea Company
in the Aotea Centre about 1990 I think. I had bought music CDs of a number of different versions and was very impressed but went along more for the music than the theatre.

This is going back a bit , but I loved Riverdance, I like anything I see. I rarely can afford to go to shows. I did see Petula Clark and enjoyed that, got the tickets as a gift.

Ray004, I saw My Fair Lady in Palmerston North and thoroughly enjoyed it.
We're very lucky in PN to be completely spoiled for choice; lots of talent here, not just onstage but off as well: the costume designers, musicians, techies etc all do a great job.
I've seen tons of musicals in my time, starting in childhood when the JC Williamson company would bring pantomimes on ice, and shows like "The Pyjama Game" to NZ. But I'd have to say one of my best experiences came when the Spouse and I saw "Les Mis" way back in 1990 in London. On that same trip, we also saw "Me and My Girl" and loved THAT in a totally different way. In more recent times, some concerts we have enjoyed locally have been the touring Queen tribute (the whole theatre was dancing in their seats!) and concerts by Daniel Rodriguez and Marla Kavanagh Rodriguez.

The first show that i ever went to was Jesus Christ Superstar with Coral Atkins Affordable Tours that got me hooked and have been to a few others as well Danell O Donell last year in palmerston north I like Country &Western and went and saw Roger Tibbs at RSA in Napier Art Deco weekend

Best ones I've attended were Riverdance in Auckland, Lord of the Dance in London, and Cliff Richards & the Shadows in Auckland late last year.
I did want to see Daniel O'Donnell last year but unfortunately I wasn't available to go.

So many shows in so many cities, but the ultimate must be Les Miserables.