Arts on Sunday

Sunday 16 June 2013, with Lynn Freeman, Simon Morris & Justin Gregory

Show notes

12:43 Percy Fisher and His Fantastic Flying Machine

On 21 June 1913 Percy Fisher successfully launched his monoplane in the Wairarapa. That moment was captured on film and for the 100th year anniversary, the New Zealand Film Archive is screening the newly restored footage of this remarkable flight. To mark the occasion, I spoke to Percy's great grandson, Paul Maxim and NZFA film conservator Reiner Schoenbrunn.

Percy Fisher, Paul Maxim and Reiner Schoenbrunn
Left: The Fisher Monoplane makes a nicely balanced short flight at Hurunui-orangi, Gladstone, June 21, 1913. From the film "Experimental Flights of the Fisher Monoplane" (1913). Right: Reiner and Paul in the film lab.

Kyle Mewburn12:48 President of the New Zealand Society of Authors, Kyle Mewburn

The new president of the New Zealand Society of Authors, children's book author Kyle Mewburn (right), reveals his plans to revamp the organisation.

1:10 At The Movies

1:31 Shane Cotton

One of our most successful contemporary artists on the national international scenes, Shane Cotton, talks about a book chronicling his paintings to date, The Hanging Sky; while curator Justin Paton explains Shane's popularity and his own reaction to the work.

Gallery: work by Shane Cotton

Cotton Head media
Shane Cotton Head #!?$ 2009–12. Acrylic on linen. Private collection.

1:46 Pitchfork Disney

Seasoned journalist Justin Gregory went to Auckland's Q Theatre to cover the premiere of Pitchfork Disney, and was shocked at what he saw.

2:05 The Laugh Track

Two of the stars of the upcoming touring production of Pirates of Penzance, Helen Medlyn and George Henare, give us an all Gilbert-and-Sullivan extravaganza.

2:26 Sydney Bridge Upside Down

A forgotten novel has been given a new 'theatrical' lease on life. Sydney Bridge Upside Down was written by David Ballantyne in the late 1960s. Set in a tiny New Zealand township, it's described darkly comic, sinister and as an 'overlooked masterpiece'. Taki Rua has brought together actors who've devised a production from the novel. You'll hear from the artistic director James Ascroft and one of the cast, Holly Shanahan.

Sydney Bridge Upside Down
Taki Rua's production of Sydney Bridge Upside Down.

Stephanie Johnson2:36 Writers Stephanie Johnson and Ian Wedde

Today's featured writers are Stephanie Johnson (right), whose latest novel looks at something she knows a lot about - teaching creative writing classes while Ian Wedde's time as Poet Laureate is coming to an end. But as one door closes another opens, he's just been selected for the Berlin writer's residency.

3:05 The Drama Hour

SkyBlue by David Mamea, winner of the Best Dramatic Production Award in the 2013 New Zealand Radio Awards.

Audio

Audio from Sunday 16 June 2013

Not all audio is available due to copyright restrictions.

  • Aviation - Percy Fisher ( 14′ 22″ )

    12:43 On the 21st of June this year, it will be 100-years since Percy Fisher flew his monoplane in the Wairarapa. His flight was captured on film and Lyn speaks with both Percy's great-grandson Paul Maxim and NZFA Film Conservator Reiner Schoenbrunn about the historic footage.

  • PEN - Kyle Mewburn ( 7′ 11″ )

    12:51 The New Zealand Society of Authors, PEN, is about to be shaken-up with a new President. Kyle Mewburn speaks about his new role.

  • Shane Cotton - The Hanging Sky ( 15′ 25″ )

    13:35 A survey of Shane Cotton's work has just opened at Wellington's City Gallery, having arrived from Australia where it's been showing. The exhibition was to have opened in Christchurch two years ago but nature intervened and the work crossed the Tasman. Curator Justin Paton and artist Shane Cotton discuss the body of work.

  • The Pitchfork Disney ( 12′ 31″ )

    13:47 Justin Gregory's been visting with the cast and crew of a new blood-thirsty production at Auckland's Q Theatre.

  • Sydney Bridge Upside Down ( 7′ 24″ )

    14:26 David Ballantyne's late 1960's play, a darkly comic look at life in a tiny New Zealand town, gets a new theatrical lease of life through Taki Rua. Director James Ashcroft and cast member Holly Shanahan talk about the play, about to open at Wellington's Downstage.

  • Outgoing Poet Laureate - Ian Wedde ( 16′ 51″ )

    14:34 Outgoing Poet Laureate and soon to be Creative New Zealand's Writer's Resident in Berlin, Ian Wedde, talks about life and The Lifeguard, his new collection of poetry.

  • Writer - Stephanie Johnson ( 12′ 28″ )

    14:47 The Writing Class is Stephanie Johnson's latest work and perhaps draws from her own experiences as a teacher of Creative Writing classes.