Butterflies of the Night creator Judith Bell opposite vintage props. Photos/Penelope Coleman
Blend vintage garments with stories of passion through six incredibly well-dressed decades, and you get a sumptuous night at the theatre, writes Annemarie Quill.
"A theatrical extravaganza" is how Judith Bell, creative director of Tauranga's latest new event Butterflies of the Night, describes the show.
From April 15 to 18, the vast warehouse space of Classic Flyers will be transformed into a magical setting to tell a love story spanning continents where "emotion and fashion are woven on the same loom".
Set in the wardrobe department of a Parisian cabaret called Papillon, there is a madame and a boudoir - but not as you might imagine.
There is a seamstress, gamblers, singers, dancers and many other surprises.
The show has been three years in the making for Bell, who co-wrote the script with her husband, Nelson, for the highly successful Tarnished Frocks and Divas' Alouette show at Mills Reef in 2011, and Bell was also the costume designer and creative director.
Bell says the inspiration for Alouette had come from a little bird - a skylark - that flew up from the dunes while she was on the beach one day. For her 2015 show she again looked to nature for inspiration.
"As I often see monarch butterflies in the garden, the butterfly theme evolved and Butterflies of the Night took flight.
The concept for Butterflies of the Night, a theatrical extravaganza bringing to life exquisite vintage garments and stories from their past, manifested from my collecting beautiful vintage pieces from around the world and reflecting on the stories these garments could tell and the memories they may hold."
Bell says the butterfly, with its symbolic associations of transformation, renewal, grace and beauty, seemed a perfect fit for her creative vision.
"The magical metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly is analogous to the transformation we make to the garments and it also reflects the transformation and blossoming of the personalities involved in all aspects of our show."
Her experience on Tarnished Frocks and Divas has also inspired her.
"I was actually the first model out on the catwalk in the inaugural TFAD show in 2005 and, back then, the garments were all borrowed from local collectors and lovers of vintage, including myself. I later became the creative director, costume designer and script writer; so yes, this experience did inspire me to create my own show."
But the shows are very different.
"The central theme of Tarnished Frocks and Divas is "retro and revamped fashion" utilising garments sourced from second-hand shops, remodelled by a variety of mainly volunteer designers, then showcased on the catwalk by women over 40 - and men are excluded from participating in the show.
"The central theme for Fabulous Threads and Theatre's Butterflies of the Night is a theatrical play and production that brings to life exquisite authentic vintage garments and handworked embellishments which are sourced from all over the world.
These are conserved, transformed and styled by a cohesive pair of designers, myself and Vicki Reid, who is a highly talented professional fashion designer and tutor of fashion design. Our garments are further enhanced by our talented wearable prop artist Vanessa Reid.
"The other point of difference is that the models for Butterflies of the Night are of all ages, as are our singers, dancers and actors, which include men."
The show is hard to pinpoint to a genre, says Bell.
Butterflies of the Night is a multi-layered show incorporating a beautiful love story told through theatre, song, music, dance and vintage fashion.
Structured around six sections of different eras spanning 60 years, the fashion is cleverly integrated within each of the subplots, which are all linked to the main story."
As well as a theatrical production, Butterflies of the Night is an exhibition of cultural, historical and artistic significance "honouring the skills and craft from women who have gone before us".
Director of the show is Suzy Sampson who has just staged A Midsummer Night's Dream. The makeup is by Mandy Priestly.
"I have known Mandy for many years and she not only lights up a room, she lights up tired eyes and dehydrated skin. She is one of the kindest people I know and she and her team at Blush Makeup Artists are makeup magicians.
"And, of course, the icing on the cake will be the hairstyles designed by Jason and Pene and their team from Adoux Hair, who are creating some amazing styles and head pieces."
Costumes are sourced by Bell who, over the years, has amassed a collection of treasures.
"I purchased my first ladies' hat at the age of 11 from Hartleys department store, which was located on the Strand in Tauranga. At 14 years of age I purchased my first pair of ladies' gloves from an op-shop in Hamilton and after that I was hooked.
"Unfortunately, op-shops nowadays are full of made in China goods so I now source from Belgium, France, Italy, the United States, England and Australia, mainly via the internet.
"Once I decided on the themes and eras for the six sections for Butterflies three years ago, I have been sourcing extensively since and seldom a day goes by without another parcel of treasures landing on our doorstep. Today, our vintage matador puppet arrived from Spain. Yesterday, it was our 1920s boudoir headpieces."
The dancers include Abby Griffin, who has recently returned from the English National Ballet School, along with Kaitlyn Weaver, Alice Richardson and show choreographer Hannah Robson.
The cast is international: Deb Batkins, Shireen White and Tanya Bamford-King are from New Zealand.
Paola Gutierrez and Coka Klug are from Chile.
Jass Chahal is originally from India, while Kanuka Simpson has lived half his life in New Zealand and the other half in France, while Hannah Robson is from the UK.
The majority of people involved in Butterflies of the Night are doing so on a paid basis.
"Too often in the creative sector some people are paid while others are expected to volunteer, which can sometimes lead to an unfavourable and inequitable experience for those involved.
"We are paying the top rated lighting and sound people that New Zealand has to create magic in our show - so why would we not pay our talented designers, actors, singers, dancers and crew? It would not be fair."
Having lived at the Mount for 36 years (she met Mount-born husband Nelson when he picked her up hitchhiking), between her creative endeavours Bell has worked for Repertoire which has become one of the show's sponsors.
She says local support has been overwhelming.
"We decided to premiere this show in Mount Maunganui because of the huge success and appreciation for the 2011 Alouette show, which many people described as a world class production.
"I know that the people who attended and loved Alouette will absolutely LOVE the richness and sophistication of Butterflies of the Night, and people who attended Alouette and know my work are emailing me every day to tell me how excited they are with anticipation.
Clearly, Tauranga people are appreciative and supportive of quality professional performances.
"This is a one off opportunity to see this show as it will not be returning to Tauranga. We plan to take Butterflies of the Night to other regions and, if possible, other countries.
"It has taken about three years to write, develop and produce this show, so we don't plan to write and create another one anytime soon. The beauty of a show such as Butterflies of the Night is we can add other sections and layers to it when we feel inclined. The show is a visual feast, and not to be missed."
