Local to star in The Show Must Go
A local Hawke's Bay woman who has gone on to become a musical theatre star throughout Australasia, is returning to the Bay to perform - and we have COVID19 to thank for it
Akina Edmonds was born in Napier, of Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou descent and grew up in the Hawkes Bay, being the eldest of seven in her family. While she had fond childhood memories of singing and dancing around the coffee table in the family home as a child, Edmonds first exposure to performing and has fond memories to her time with the school Kapa Haka group. There was no background or music connections in her family, other than her great grandmother who she thinks was a singer with a beautiful voice.
Three years of tertiary study at NASDA (the Christchurch-based National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art) was followed by over a decade of work in some of the biggest professional productions in Australasia – including Buddy, Hairspray and The Lion King, and the Australasian Premiere of Sister Act in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 2016.
The Show's Must Go On is a glittering concert of musical theatre showstoppers, featuring songs from the world's greatest Broadway and West End musicals in concert including The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Priscilla The Greatest Showman, and more, along with New Zealand’s favourite musical Les Misérables.
The Shows Must Go on performs in Hawke’s Bay at Toitoi – the Hawkes Opera House in Hastings on Wednesday 28th October at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
Suellen’s sweet Christmas tradition
The festive season is always a great excuse to indulge your sweet tooth, and this time of year poses the perfect opportunity to bring a real showstopper to the Christmas table.
For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche, an impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with spun sugar that is popular at weddings in France and Italy.
What began as a birthday treat at a local French café has become a cherished Christmas tradition for Suellen and her 17-year-old twin granddaughters, Ellie and Sadie. Every year, the trio gather in Suellen’s apartment at William Sanders Village to cook this festive dessert - a holiday highlight they all treasure.
Click read more for the recipe.
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On the range
Venetian plaster finishes are on-trend at the moment, so why not recreate this look at home and cover that unsightly rangehood at the same time? Find out how to create your own with Resene Sandtex and these easy step by step instructions.