Cover Story: Patsy and Eddy are Ab Fab

Absolutely Fabulous: Kelly O'Hara and Maree Bielesk as Patsy and Eddy. Photo/George Novak

Two hundred 'Absolutely fabulous' women will descend upon Rialto Tauranga next week to raise money for a fabulous cause.

The bevy of beehived and bejewelled women will be attending the sell-out Sisters & Co red carpet screening of the much-awaited Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, on August 10, in support of the Tauranga-based Cambodia Charitable Trust.

The evening, which will consist of a fashion show, spot prizes and plenty of bubbly, sold out in just 10 days.

Denise Arnold, who is co-director of Tauranga firm Lyon O'Neale Arnold and founder of the Cambodia Charitable Trust, says the response to the evening has been "phenomenal".

We wanted to create a fun evening where people could donate to the trust while also having a fabulous time. It's really struck a chord with people.

Denise Arnold

"We are extremely lucky to have some amazingly generous women donating their time and talents to the evening, which is apt given that the trust has a strong focus on empowering girls in Cambodia to fulfil their potential. It's about being part of a global sisterhood," she adds.

Amongst those donating their time are Tauranga actors Kelly O'Hara and Maree Bieleski, who will make a guest appearance as the iconic 'Patsy' and 'Eddy' on the night.

The two women, who were both extras in the short film Just Three Girls, shot in downtown Tauranga earlier in the month, were put forward for the roles by the newly-formed BOP Actors, founded by actor and singer Tanya Horo.

Kelly, who was an Indulge Bay Model finalist in 2015, has recently taken up acting, pursuing a childhood dream.

"It's something I wanted to do at a younger age but my life path went in a different direction," says the mother-of-three, who modelled in her teens and has a degree in media arts.

For someone who is down to earth and likes to wear minimal makeup, playing Patsy is a huge departure from Kelly's usual demeanour and dress sense.

"She's pretty raucous, pretty out there. It's a good opportunity for me to be loud," says Kelly.

Maree, who is playing Eddy, is equally looking forward to hamming it up as the other half of the Bollinger-swilling, cigarette sucking duo.

"It's something different in my Monday to Friday, 40-hour week," says the warehouse worker, who also works for a Tauranga dinner theatre company and was an extra in the The Z-Nail Gang.

Absolutely Fabulous: Patsy and Eddy being styled Photo/George Novak

"I love Patsy and Eddy. It's the fact that they're just nuts. There's nothing PC about it. That's what I think people can relate to."

Kelly and Maree are being styled by Sisters and Co owner Rodelle Payne, who is also directing the fashion show on the night, which will showcase high-end labels from her Mount Maunganui store.

"As the saying goes 'less is more' but with Patsy and Eddy, more is always more," says Rodelle.

More leather, more fur and definitely more champagne. It's been a blast styling Kelly and Maree and I can't wait to see them strut their stuff.

Rodelle Payne

Makeup artist Lillybeth Melmoth and hairdresser Lynette Burlison are also relishing the opportunity to take their crafts to the extreme.

"Makeup should enhance your natural features, but in Patsy's case, with her heavy eye makeup, red lipstick and big hair, she is eternally stuck in the 1960s," says Lillybeth, who is an award-winning mobile makeup artist, specialising in fashion and wedding makeup.

"It's certainly not a look I would recommend for anyone other than Patsy Stone."

Lynette, who was a tailor before she took up hairdressing nine years ago, used a wig and six hairpieces to create Patsy's trademark, blonde beehive.

"I'm a very creative person. It's the same thought process," she says, likening hairdressing to designing clothes.

As for Kelly and Maree, the process of being styled into Patsy and Eddy for the Indulge photo shoot, seemed to transform more than just their looks.

Patsy, aka Kelly O'Hara and Eddy aka Maree Bielesk. Photo/George Novak

"Bolly darling," says Maree, swinging a bottle of champagne above her head and wildly flicking her curls, as Kelly teeters in her high heels.

"Now I know why Patsy walks the way she does," says Kelly, swaying precariously. "This hairpiece is really heavy."

*The Cambodia Charitable Trust aims to break the poverty cycle and transform the lives of children through education and community development. It currently supports 6000 children in 16 schools, and two teacher training colleges. To find out more about the trust or to donate, visit www.cctnz.org.nz.