| The
Evening Post December 17, 2001 Wellywood Turns On
Glitz, Glamour Besides the many Rings stars attending, guests include VIPs, up to 100 local and international media organisations, and many Kiwi and Aussie celebrities. The event will be without stars such as Liv Tyler and Sir Ian McKellen but several leading actors, including Elijah Wood who plays Frodo Baggins, and director Peter Jackson, will be there. Prominent Kiwis attending include Prime Minister Helen Clark, pranksters Mikey Havoc and Jeremy "Newsboy" Wells, actors Cliff Curtis, Sam Neill and Temuera Morrison and sportspeople Mark Todd, Dean Barker, Mandy Smith, Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Campbell. Australian celebrities include Toni Collette. Rundown of events Noon: Courtenay Pl from the Tory St intersection to Kent Tce is closed to all traffic while organisers set up for the premiere. 4pm: Participants in public procession and street performers gather in Civic Square. 4.30pm: Procession led by Carnival Street Band leaves Civic Square and walks along Cuba St, Manners St and into Courtenay Pl. 4.55pm: Carnival Band plays between Tory and Allen streets. 5pm: Film images displayed on big screen. The Muttonbirds play on the balcony of Opera Bar. Street performance starts with people on stilts. 5.10pm: Performance by Family Fonatine (human water fountains) on red carpet. 5.30pm: Moa, Festival Kiwi and Wearable Arts appear. Finalists of a competition to win tickets to the premiere called to area outside Opera Bar. 5.35pm: Captain Nemo arrives in his motorised bathtub. 5.50pm: Performances end. 5.52pm: Draw for competition to win double pass to premiere. 6pm: Premiere guests begin arriving. They are expected to be surrounded by people dressed as characters from the film as well as four "black riders" on horseback. 6.30pm: Film stars and director Peter Jackson arrive. They will appear on stage and be part of a handprint ceremony. 7pm: Premiere starts |