Wine good for arts

Picton Little Theatre can provide a much-needed injection of culture into Marlborough, says theatre sponsor Warwick Foley.

The Johanneshof Cellars co-owner and business partner Edel Everling gave the theatre free wine to sell at events.

All proceeds are put back into maintaining the theatre and organising future shows.

Mr Foley said he chose to support the theatre to avoid Picton becoming a "cultural desert" with a lack of options for enthusiasts of the arts.

Picton-based gold medal-winning rower Joseph Sullivan's Olympic success was a great boost to the town and highlighted the enthusiasm the people of Picton had to support the area. "It's all good but what we need is a melting pot, a mix of culture and sport for the benefit of the town.

"A common problem in New Zealand is we become too focused on sports and forget about how culture can contribute, too."

Foley and his wife, Rachel, attended a sold-out comedy night at the theatre on August 4 and were impressed by the quality of the comedians.

The night clashed with the Super 15 rugby final won by the Waikato Chiefs.

"It was a really good little event and unless we support these things we could be left without any options.

"The performers and theatre staff invest their time, but if others don't invest their money they will be struggling."

The theatre's success was a benefit to the Marlborough community and visitors who would appreciate a wider range of material coming from the region's arts supporters.

Theatre manager Bruce Anderson said the theatre sold out its 90-ticket capacity on the night and was forced to turn people away at the door.

"We had to bring out extra chairs to fit in as many people as we were allowed. The support's been fantastic, we're very keen to get another show lined up as soon as we can."

The audience came mainly from Picton and Blenheim although people travelled from Havelock and Nelson, too, he said.