Jesus Christ Superstar - Review

First performed in 1970, Jesus Christ Superstar , an account of the last week of Jesus's life, remains rock opera's heaviest hitter. But Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's masterwork has started to look decidedly middle-aged - what was cool and "edgy" back in Sir Keith Holyoake's day can seem, well, try-hard to a modern audience.

So the not inconsiderable challenge to directors Michelle Johansson and Molly Wills was to funk up the production, though retain the reverence that the subject demands. Make it resonate to the MTV generation. And on this opening night, the Old Student's command performance*, Johannson & Wills' charges responded with a show of passion, confidence and no small amount of swagger.

Here was a decidedly Pasifikan Superstar. Swathes of tapa cloth. Hip-hop handshakes. The disciples hangin' in their Hawaiian shirts.

And the main players? Big Inoke Tuita is a marvellously garish Herod. Bigger Lauie Sila, a show-stealing Pilate. And Catalina Kamira plays a heartfelt Mary - her Annie-Crummer-like voice ensures songs like I Don't Know How to Love Him and Could We Start Again Please? will dominate your shower solos for weeks.

With the Wesleyan love of singing to fall back on, the "mob", backed by Will Payne's fresh backing track, were always likely to sound magnificent. And they don't disappoint though it is the details, a subtlety of performance you rarely see in school productions, that impresses most.

Of course, this is a show carried by Jesus and Judas. After a nervous start, Simas Tekulu (Judas) brought a conflicted anguish to a role that very easily lapses into caricature. John Salanoa's Jesus was "just a man" and yet somehow much more. Word is that their alternates - Poloma Iosefa (Jesus) and Jonathon Aiono (Judas) - are equally adept: they'll be doing pretty damn well to match Tekulu and Salanoa.

There were a few glitches: a couple of mikes weren't on (this was technically the dress rehearsal) and there were lengthy pauses between scene changes that could've been better masked by music. But these are minor quibbles. This was a performance of exuberance and joy. Sadness too - the final scene, Christ's crucifixion, is chilling and simply unforgettable.

Jesus Christ Superstar runs until Thursday night at the Wesley School Hall. The performance starts at 7.30pm - tickets are $10 for adults with concession prices available.

* The Old Students' Command Performance was dedicated to the late Richard Honey, Wesleyan and good friend of the director Michelle Johansson.

Read more!

Old Students' Weekend Report

Well... it was a typical Wesley weekend. The old boys, thinner of hair and thicker of gut, regaled each other with ever-taller stories. The old girls, more elegant than ever, rolled their eyes a lot. The organisation was on the muddling side of meandering with everything running on Wesley time. However, a good time was had by the 70-odd old students who materialised at various times over the weekend.

Highlights? A rather lovely powhiri where the old students were formally welcomed and reminded there's a bed (or at least a mattress) here whenever they need one. The Jolley Roger's (Roger Jolley's) Tour of Memories which wound up in the Rec foyer. Ernie Lepper being formally recognised as the founding member of the Wesley RFC. A historic triumph in the netball (aided by some shameless cheating). A heroic performance in the touch where we were all over the current students for the opening two minutes before their cheating - they brought on second-formers who were too fast and fit - saw us lose heavily. Then there were disgraceful accounts of old-fools-who-should-know-better finding themselves at Boogie Wonderland at 3.00am on Saturday morning. And, on Sunday, a chapel service stirringly led by Steve Tema which culminated in a rousing haka outside.

But the absolute highlight of the weekend deserves a post all of its own...

Read more!

Ending on a High

The 1st XV finished a roller-coaster season on a high with a solid win over Combined Samoan Methodist Schools. Herewith Coach Bean's match report:

Wesley College 1st XV v Combined Samoan Methodist Schools
Date: 6/9/06
Venue: WTC

The 1st XV completed its 29th match of the season against the touring Combined Samoan Methodist Schools. The visitors played a strong game close in and around the ruck area while the 1st XV’s strength, as all season, was out wide.

After spending 10 minutes pinned in our half, the 1st XV breaks out with a backline bust. As the Samoan defence reforms, Wesleyan support runners continue to make inroads. Faiva Nai makes a telling break and is tackled short of the line but spins and pops the ball up to Niko Ratumaitavuki who dives over for the opening try. Sione Anae’alangi converts - 7-0 Wesley. From the kick-off the Samoan team places the 1st XV under pressure. The 1st XV manage to kick themselves out of trouble, but the Samoans returns the ball strongly. The Samoan second-five busts through the ruck area, chip kicks our defence, before regathering the ball and scores next to the posts. Somehow the conversion is missed - 7-5.

Shortly after the 1st XV attacks deep into the Samoan territory.They infringe and Sione slots a penalty - 10-5 Wesley. Just a minute before half-time, the 1st XV recovers the ball from broken play and spins the ball along the line. As the Samoan defence rushes up, Asa Lehauli kicks over the top and Seremaia Tagicakibau leaps high for the ball, regathers it and drives over for a spectacular try - 15-5.

The 1st XV extends its lead in the second-half after the ball is tapped down from a lineout: Uini Atonio receives the ball and smashes over for a try - 20-5. But the 1st XV relaxes on defence allowing the Samoan team to make easy yards. They fling the ball across the field and score in the corner - 20-10. Now the 1st XV manages to get back into the Samoan 22. The loose ball is spun along the line to Uini who draws in the defence and David Raikuna scores in the corner - 25-10.

As the match rolls on, the 1st XV begin to overpower the visitors and, just before full-time, John Aiono kicks the ball back in-field from his wing with Niko following up and scoring by the posts. The goalkicking machine Asa Lehauli slots the conversion and the 1st XV wins its final match of the season 32-10.

Player of the Day: Niko Rtaumaitavuki

C.W.Bean

Read more!

Why you should join the WCOSA

WCOSA is the acronym of the Wesley College Old Students' Association (and not related in any way to WAISAKE Sotutu). A correspondent to the previous post asked what is WCOSA and why should he/she join up. I gave a quick and perfunctory answer in the comments section of that post. But here Old Students' committee member Roger Jolley aka The Jolley Roger offers a more detailed explanation:

"Your annual fee of $35 gives you membership of the Wesley College Old Students' Association and as a member you get to:

* Maintain contact with the Wesley whanau through the Association
* The chance to have your say in future and current activities of the Association
* Entry fee to play sport for the Association
* Access to merchandise produced for the Association
* Up-to-date communication and email panui and newsletters
* Fully participate and benefit from the annual gatherings and other school events often subsidised by the College and Association
* Be fed when you turn up to Association events with the school
* Have access to on-site accommodation at the whare during Association events
* Contribute to current students' experiences at the College

Most of these and many additional benefits to Association members are subsidised by the school. This year the annual fee of $20 has been increased by $15 to cover entry into the College production of Jesus Christ Superstar and subsidise the 21st "birthday" of the Te Paea Hostel for girls. Still the committee believes this year's fee is a reasonable contribution to these activities even if you don't attend the show or opening celebrations (it's worth noting that the increase does not fully cover these costs so the College will meet the shortfall of Association contributions). Your contribution to them is one way we can support the current students, the school and the Wesley kaupapa - Fide Litteris Labore!

The annual fee is likely to remain at $20 unless changed at the next AGM.

So step up and pay your fee. For less than $3 per month, less than your average cup of coffee, you can become a member of the Old Students' Association of New Zealand's oldest registered school (open since 1844).

With just one easy payment of $35 you can have it all and more as a member of the Wesley College Old Students Association (cash, cheques also accepted). Gift a membership to one of your mates you went to school with, or just get them to sign up with you. This would make a most treasured and valued Christmas or birthday gift... the gift of belonging is priceless! You can get this exclusive membership offer for the one-off price of just $35. If you, your whanau and mates went to the school, you can all belong as members of the Association and enjoy the camaraderie and experiences of other Wesleyans that only past pupils and members can have.

But wait! There's more! All old students joining up will go in the draw for the ultimate membership offer. You will have the chance to become one of the Association's most respected members - you will have the opportunity to be considered as a Wesley College Old Students' Association Life Member! Aspire to be the best, live life like there's no tomorrow, dance like there's no-one watching, smile with wild abandon, become a life member and reap the rewards.

And just when you thought that this gift that just keeps giving is done, there's even still more! For your $35 annual fee you get to participate in the most exciting decision-making debate in the modern history of the school. You get to have a say in the establishment of the very first Wesley College Old Boys Rugby Club. The What? you say. Yes the Wesley College Old Boys Rugby Club. NPC, Super 14, Tri-Nations, Moascar Cup, Bledisloe Cup, World Cup, and Buttercup are all a part of the school's proud rugby history. (Buttercup was the name of one of the early house cows that provided milk for the school and 1st XV back in the day when milk still had real full-bodied cream in it!)

Enough! Turn up, pay up (please) and join up!

**

Roge seems to be losing it a bit towards the end there but he puts his case well.

One further point - the Old Students' Committee doesn't want anyone to be excluded on account of cost. So if you're a student or unemployed or facing a hard time financially, email me, in confidence, (commander@clear.net.nz) and we'll make arrangements for you.

NOTE: The cost for adult guests - spouses, partners, siblings, friends etc - of Wesleyans is just $15. Kiddies are free.

Read more!