Gold rush brought to Showquest
Student actors from Dunstan High School performed their homegrown production exploring the hardships of Central Otago's gold rush era to a packed audience at Invercargill's Civic Theatre on Monday night.
The troupe was one of 12 from across Otago and Southland to compete in Showquest 2025, which challenged young people to create an eight- to 10-minute performance around a theme of their choosing.
Gold Beneath Grief followed several families as they navigated the trials of the 1860s goldfields — from losing loved ones in floods to the heartache of homesickness and the relentless pressure to strike it rich — offering audiences a glimpse into the resilience and sorrow that shaped early settler life.
The performance by Dunstan High School was recognised with an award for excellence in dance, while the teachers who supported the production were honoured with the Teacher Spirit Award.
Monday night's overall winner was Mount Aspiring College, whose pupils created and performed Wāhine Toa, a dance piece celebrating significant women from throughout Aotearoa's history.
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