Spiegeltent weaves its magic

Creative Hastings chairman Andy Heast (left) and Harcourts Hawke's Bay Arts Festival director Pitsch Leiser have made a success of the festival. Photo / Warren Buckland

Next year's Hawke's Bay Arts Festival will be held in October, following the success of the inaugural Harcourts Hawke's Bay Arts Festival.

Thirteen days of music, cabaret, comedy, dance, theatre, circus and literary events has been hailed an "outstanding success" by festival director Pitsch Leiser.

Thanks to the Famous Spiegeltent, a magic world was created for 13 days on the Havelock North Village Green, which seems like it has always been there, Mr Leiser said.

"It will be very sad in a couple of days when it is all gone."

He plans to book another timber-and-glass Spiegeltent for next year.

"It won't be this one unfortunately - it is booked to be in France - but there are other beautiful ones. I am working with the owner to find me another one - that is my absolute mission because part of the success of the festival has been to bring in a magic space like the Spiegeltent where you transform people's expectation - when you walk in it just sweeps you up."

Costing on average of about $9000 a day, it set a high financial threshold for success, which turned out to be no barrier at all with the festival breaking even three weeks before it opened.

"We hoped for a good turnout, but to actually have achieved such success - with some of those shows sold out early on - has been amazing."

More than 9000 tickets sold for 44 public shows and six school shows.

"If we had just put a marquee up, it would not have had the same impact. This tent has hosted a lot of amazing performances over the years and has the atmosphere oozing out of all its panels and because it has all these mirrors it creates a bigger space than you expect."

He said established venues also came with fixed costs of thousands of dollars a day.

The festival had more than a dozen standing ovations and people were almost pleading for its return, he said.

"That has been beautiful, because you never know what you are going to achieve or if it would work.

"I was confident I was doing the right thing and the programme would live up to expectations but you can lead a horse to water but ... that's about it.

"To have had that response has been extremely heartening."

Hastings District Council underwrote the festival by $50,000. Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said he was mindful the arts community was missing opportunities through the closure of the Hawke's Bay Opera House, due to seismic issues, but was sceptical about the Spiegeltent until he researched it and received assurances from councillors of its success in New Plymouth.

"I am pleased the punt we have taken has paid off - it has been highly successful.

Mr Leiser said profit from the festival would be put towards next year's.

He said there were no dramas, with events running smoothly to last night's final show thanks to an outstanding crew and volunteers.