With the bus service we have, some of us can manage without using a motor vehicle, but many of us can not. Suggestions, anyone?
***
Putting Ben Hur in a "B" category, bigger than the "H" debate, more divisive than "the prayer", it's the Vegemite versus Marmite argument.
As the great Marmite shortage of 2012 makes headlines and draws comment from all quarters, a certain group of people has come to light - those who would never cross the line to the Vegemite side! Of course, the same is true in the camp of the Vegemite lovers, but who would have thought those feelings were so strong?
The shelves in the supermarkets are still well-stocked with the yellow-lidded jars but you won't catch a Marmite devotee sneaking Vegemite into their trolley! That's tantamount to treason and, besides, they can't stand the taste! In the meantime, their choice of yeast extract is unavailable and they suffer. Bovril, anyone?
***
Big thankyous to all the talented people who organised and took part in the Artists' Open Studios weekends. It was a real privilege to come into your homes and share the atmosphere in which your creative genius thrives. To see your work - finished, or in progress - on display and hear you talk about your art with unbridled passion and enthusiasm was a joy. We learned a lot and discovered new types of art media to enjoy.
Of course it was a good way for you to display your talent and, perhaps, make a few sales, but we, as visitors, were by far the biggest winners. Do it again next year - please!
***
As Wanganui Amdram gears up for this year's production of West Side Story, spare a thought for the poor people in Oamaru. Their operatic society has had to cancel a production of Cole Porter's Anything Goes because of lack of people and a shortage of money. They were to have held auditions last weekend so there would be quite a few disappointed hopefuls.
They were not alone; Invercargill Musical Theatre has changed its mind about a big production this year for similar reasons.
And yet good old Wanganui keeps on keeping on and with more than one theatre company, not to mention the high quality school productions we see every year.
Wanganui seethes with artistic talent, as much in the performing arts as in the visual side, and there never seems to be a shortage of people willing to strut their stuff, sing their songs or make a cameo appearance on one of the many stages Wanganui has to offer. For that we have a legion of behind the scenes workers to thank for making all of these opportunities available.
Audiences, too, abound, and there are willing hordes eager to see the latest staged offering. It could be due, in part, to the parochial essence of Wanganui, where so many of us know so many of us, and we're all keen to see those we know do well in a public performance.
Of course, there are those who like to see those they know make fools of themselves in the same arena, but, either way, it equates to bums on seats and money in the coffers of the theatre or the charity they represent.
And yet, seldom is this community described by outsiders as "strong theatrically" or "an arts centre of renown". It's probably our fault (it usually is) but when the annual meeting of Musical Theatre NZ is held here (see page 10) it is cause for celebration and shouting out loud.
Congratulations to Edwyna McDonald and the Amdram people who made it happen, giving Wanganui a much needed artistic publicity boost.
