Wanaka’s Festival of Colour 2021 has wrapped up with more than 9,000 tickets sold over 40 events across eight days.

And for outgoing festival director Philip Tremewan, it was a relief to present the festival in full with no disruptions due to Covid-19.

“We know we are so very lucky to have been able to share the experience of live performance on stage in venues with audiences with no physical distancing,” he said. 

“We are one of the only places in the world where this can happen and it was very special.”

This festival, the ninth Festival of Colour, marked the end of an era with Philip retiring after being at the helm since the festival started in 2005.

Lights at acrobatics at ‘The Air Between Us’. PHOTO: Ray Tiddy

“This year was also special because due to Covid-19 we could only present New Zealand acts and that made this a celebration of home-grown talent.”

The festival attracted new audiences in 2021, partly due to there being some hesitation by audiences to buying in advance, he said.

“We’ve often sold out most shows a month or six weeks in advance of the festival,” Philip said.

The Carnivorous Plant Society performing for a packed audience at the Pacific Crystal Palace. PHOTO: Ray Tiddy

“This year that didn’t happen which meant there were tickets available to many shows during the festival dates and this opened up opportunities for those last-minute ticket purchasers. And this was reflected in a younger crowd coming along to many shows.”

The festival featured three world premieres including sold-out performances of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Ultra Violet / The Autumn Ball, and new play The Hall.

‘Rollicking Theatre’ brought hijinks and laughs to the busiest ever Street Theatre Day. PHOTO: Ray Tiddy

Twelve shows sold out and an extensive community programme with physical theatre, poetry, visual art, photography and ballet was the festival’s biggest yet.

Sophie Kelly takes up the reins as artistic director for the Festival of Colour and her first festival will be in April 2023. 

Philip will organise the programme for Aspiring Conversations running April 1-3, 2022.

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