This year's New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Summer Pops tour came with a splendid bonus: a singing, acting, dancing and joking troupe, the Modern Maori Quartet.
James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and Francis Kora are graduates of Toi Whakaari, the New Zealand Drama School which encourages creative practice and all-round skills.
Their stunning performance can be summed up as a big-hearted Maori garage party entertained by a barbershop quartet and supported by the best backing band in the country.
The quartet, very much the frontline act, gave a running commentary as the party developed.
Their mixed close harmony singing was enthralling, and showing that the spirit of Billy T. James lives on with stand up comedy, wicked impressions and cheesy running gags, all in the nicest possible way.
Near the end of a 12-concert tour the orchestra players were as accomplished as ever, making the most of fine music arrangements, and got into a party spirit with even some discrete toe-tapping.
