Dave, Helen and the Theatre Royal

(Posted by Kath)

Let me explain…………the other day I received a random txt saying “do you guys want a 20min gig tomorrow good $$ and high profile?” I replied “Yep! I’m in!” Later, a phone call explaining………….

Turns out Nelson’s old theatre (The Theatre Royal), which the Historic Buildings Trust have been trying to raise funds to restore, has finally been granted $2.9m from the Government to do so!! And the Prime Minister herself (who is also Minister for Arts and Culture) is coming to announce the fact IN the Theatre!!

The gig is IN the theatre and we are to sing to the guests until she arrives!! By the way, it's SUCH a lovely old theatre and I'm sooooooo glad this has happened. I was wishing I were a millionaire because I would’ve donated the money myself!!

On a personal note – because I don’t think the other girls were so excited about it – but none other than Dave Dobbyn is singing after the PM gives her speech!!! Now, let me explain…….Dave Dobbyn has captivated me with his song writing, singing, guitar-playing for YEARS and I have been to see him live several times. There’s just something about him…………………..I couldn’t believe that I would be on the same STAGE as him!!

I was absolutely determined to meet him, and so after he had sung, I went looking for him and found him outside. I walked right up to him and introduced myself and shook his hand and thanked him for the “hours of happiness he has provided me with over the years.” He chatted away to Dan, Glen and I, told funny stories, and was just a down-to-earth guy.

My sister suggested the day before that I give him one of my children’s CDs, so I handed it to him and told him that I just wanted to thank him for all the pleasure his music has given me over the years. He thanked me and later said he’d listen really carefully to it!

After a most people had left and we were all ‘socialising’, someone, I think it was Pete, mentioned we should sing one of his songs (Slice of Heaven) and so he went off and got his guitar and sang to us (by then there were only about 20 people there) and we sang/danced and I was on Cloud 9!! I just couldn’t have thought of a better thing to happen. I have been laughing and smiling ever since and I will think of this day whenever I’m feeling down.

Oh, I should mention the Prime Minister (Helen Clark) I guess………………she smiled at us. She made a great speech about the history of the Theatre, but I didn’t meet her. She said “Hello” to Liz. But for me, it wasn’t a highlight. Dave Dobbyn was.

Oh and the fact that we were the LAST people to perform in the old Theatre Royal and may I say, it was an absolute PLEASURE!!

Thanks, Glen, Dan and Pete. And most of all………………..thanks Dave =)

Here is a link to the highlights of the day - thanks Grae!! http://www.youtube.com/user/ChannelN