An Avro to Naumai, a Nelson City Council Heritage week event

Tuesday April 18, Wednesday April 19, Friday April 21, Saturday April 22. Two shows per day: 3pm and 7pm. Doors open 15 minutes prior to performance.

A light-hearted look at Tom Newman and Shorty Fowler’s historic first flight ever into Nelson in 1921.

In November 1921 transport pioneer Tom Newman and pilot ‘Shorty’ Fowler took off from Wellington in an Avro 504K headed for Newman’s family farm ‘Naumai’ in Spring Grove, quite literally ‘on a wing and a prayer’. Hampered by bad weather, poor navigation, fuel issues, stroppy land-owners and dodgy landing strips, it was a miracle the flight succeeded. But succeed they did, bringing with them 100 copies of that morning’s Dominion and changing access routes into Nelson forever. Pete Coates and Isaac Thomas bring this short play by Justin Eade to life, with Giles Burton directing.

Tickets: $5, door sales only

Image: Steven Watkins Photography