• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Lucia Farron-Diamantis, producer of Dulcet Dalliance, talks about the inspiration and collaboration behind the series of 'brief, sweet, saucy, performances' as part of the latest First Thursdays in K Rd, Auckland.

"It's about everything to do with love, how it comes in different ways for different people or different creatures and just ways to express it, so when the actors are not officially performing in a show they will be performing on the streets and mingling or flirting with the crowds of people."

Name, age, where are you from?

Lucia Farron-Diamantis, 21, born in Wellington but currently a K Rd Queen.

What is your creative background? What keeps you doing what you do?

I have worked in the creative industry professionally for the last two years starting with being a wardrobe assistant on music videos (The Dukes and Lawrence Arabia) and a TV series (Super City) and at fashion shows (Hailwood and Hannah-Lee Jade) to now producing my own work both visually and theatrically. I live on K Rd, immerse myself in the culture and community of the street and I feel it has this special energy where you are able to constantly create and express yourself, because there is always someone interesting to observe or something fun to do.

I love everything to do with putting on a show, whether it’s the outfits, the moving image, the music, the lighting, the feeling, the structure.. everything! So basically I'm always learning about my crafts, and I'm currently doing my BA at Unitec specializing in Directing for theatre and screen.

Most recently I did styling for Remix Magazine and wrote and starred in a piece called "Bitches" performed at the Unitec theatre. For me there is no barriers when it comes to being creative it comes in every shape and form. I am very lucky and bloody love it!

How did you get involved in First Thursdays? What will you be doing for this event on August 2nd?

Well I was introduced to Cleo Barnett and then one coffee lead to another and I finally asked her about putting on a show and she was just as passionate and eager as me. The event is called "Dulcet Dalliance" and it is three different performances with the common theme of love. However the show is not purely about the devised performances, it’s about everything to do with love, how it comes in different ways for different people or different creatures and just ways to express it, so when the actors are not officially performing in a show they will be performing on the streets and mingling or flirting with the crowds of people.

What is your inspiration behind these plays?

Life and the lessons we learn or the worlds we wish we could live in. The beautiful thing about performance art is that you can take it as far as you want, and when you're collaborating there are endless opportunities. My favorite play write is Oscar Wilde and I have adapted one of his short stories "The Nightingale and the Rose" which is a beautiful love story. Our venue is Te Karanga gallery and tea shop, which inspired me to write "The Tea Mistress" and "Munchies for your Love", is an interpretive performance which eats your heart out!

How is it all coming along? Can you tell us about the other creatives that you are collaborating with on this project?

Well bringing the show to life is always hard work but I have a beautifully scrumptious bunch of people helping me out and making this whole experience worthwhile. My darling collaborators have been giving me so much time and energy: Hannah-lee Turner has designed all the outfits. Diva Blair has designed the posters and brochures which will be handed out on the day. Lewis Gregory has helped produce the show as well as the K Rd Business Association. Rewi Mclay has done all the music for the performances and my fabulous actors are Albert, Eloise, Nicole, Lana, Kelly, Faye, Arlo and Liam.

What are the event details?

The performances are taking place during First Thursdays, Thursday 02 August as Te Karanga art gallery (upstairs 208 K Road), we shall be hard to miss as we will be dressed so delicately as roses prancing around K Rd, however the main performances will take place at 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm and 8:15pm. Just bring yourself, your smile and get ready to be fed a lot of love.

RSVP: Dulcet Dalliance on Facebook and also keep an eye out for the name "Diamond-Diamantis".

• First Thursdays is a community-conscious collaboration of artisans and art lovers whose ultimate goal is to showcase new and exciting talent in the fields of visual arts, music and performance.