To Whom it May Concern:

Ormondville School children recently had the delightful experience of spending nearly two hours with Mary whilst she told stories, entertained with her friends (Bob and Charles), sang songs, imparted knowledge, involved them in drama, allowed them to laugh together and left them with a moral - be kind.

Mary is a special lady, one of those persons with exceptional talent who can worth seemly effortless ease engage children in language activities that promote creativity and joy and draw out their imaginations in supportive ways.

Mary's quick wit and dramatic movements gave her storytelling a dynamic and colourful presence. She ably engaged the younger 5 year olds whilst conferring with the 12 year olds in the audience.

We are lucky enough to enjoy many artists. Mary would have to be one of the best.

We would have no hesitation in recommending Mary Kippenberger, who visted our schoolthis week during her vist to England, as a completely engrossing storyteller, entertainer and wizard of languge. Mary worked first of all with a group of year 12 'A' level English Literature and English Language students. With her anecdotal conversation she soon entranced them and drew them into her story-web. She enthralled them with impassioned, dramatic and charismatic telling of Maori myths and love stories and true stories from her own life. It has been wonderful since to hear these students enthusing about Mary's abilities.

In her second session Mary worked with a year 8 English class. With considerable expertise she immediately gained their trust and proceeded to entertain and engage them. Her active approach involved the class in dramatic presentation as well as in attentive listening. She pitched her story-telling at exactly the right level and captivated the students right up to the closing seconds of the session.
Mary is a special lady with a considerable - enviable! - facility to create vivid verbal images and to thereby entrance students of all abilities and age groups. She possesses the unique gift to involve and reassure those students who may be reluctant or shy without causing them any embarrassment.
Don't be in any doubt - mary's talents and absolutely unique.

John Crawford.

Deputy Head of English Faculty.

Mary's ability to engross the children and to have them interacting with the story is outstanding. The appeal to the children of all ages and the skill in developing characterisation are also features of Mary's expertise.

I would thoroughly recommend Mary to all schools as an entertainer and educator.



Jill Lunn
Principal



Childrens Comments

"Excellent voice projection" - Sarah age 9

"Amazing energy" - Leanne age 10

"Expressive and energetic" - Danielle age 10

"changing voices created intrest" - Adric age 10

"I like her puppets. She brought them to life" - Thomas age 9

"A wonderful lady comedian" - Hayley age 9

"Varied action-packed, powerful" - Kayla age 10

"A great and funny storyteller and singer" - Abigail age 7

To who it may concern:

Mary Kippenberger recently spent a morning in our school entertaining the Children (New Entrant to Year Eight) with her stories

The other teachers and I were extremely impressed with the way she was able to hold the children's full attention for the entire session. Her stories are backed with lots of animation (herself and some wonderful puppets). Mary Obviously has a real empathy with children of all ages and we would love her to come back.

I would have no hesitation in highly recommending her to other schools.

Yours Faithfully

Sue Quinnell

Principal

To who it may concern:

Mary Kippenberger recently spent a morning in our school entertaining the Children (New Entrant to Year Eight) with her stories

The other teachers and I were extremely impressed with the way she was able to hold the children's full attention for the entire session. Her stories are backed with lots of animation (herself and some wonderful puppets). Mary Obviously has a real empathy with children of all ages and we would love her to come back.

I would have no hesitation in highly recommending her to other schools.

Yours Faithfully

Sue Quinnell

Principal

To Whom it Concerns

Laughter is the best medicine.

To bring joy and laughter into peoples lives is a wonderful gift.

Mary has that gift.

An experienced debater, she is quick witted, with a wonderful sense of fun about her and an earthy humor which is a winner with her audiences.

My connection with Mary in an official capacity is through WETA (We Encourage the Arts),A non-profit making organisation which brings an assortment of arts and entertainment to Central Hawkes Bay each year.

Mary Debated for WETA in the WETA Saleyard Debate two years ago. This event is immensely popular, the debating teams consist of a variety of local orators, national celebrities, politicians and playwrights. Mary's debating skills equalled, if not excelled others on the teams.

WETA also hold an annual Wine and Food Festival. This year Mary attended in her role as a storyteller. She is a true weaver of tales, her stories appeal to children and adults alike, as does her warm character.
Over the years I have seen this lady in many roles: debater, MC, Storyteller, Mother, Social worker and actor.

Mary Kippenberger brightens up the dullest day. I would thoroughly recommend her in a professional capacity and wish her every success with her rich tapestry of talents.



Yours faithfully

Trudy W Kirk
WETA Chairperson

To Whom it May Concern

Recently the OngaOnga Tikokino Guide and Brownie Support Committee wished to hold their Annual General Meeting (for parents) at the same time as Brownies and Guides were holding their unit meetings.

It was decided to provide some entertainment for the girls while our meeting was held and Mary Kippenberger was invited to be the entertainer!!

I had seen her entertain Playcentre (preschool) children and keep them entertained with her storytelling and costumes for about 30 minutes; I'd had reports from other parents where their boisterous boys had been spellbound in a library listening to Mary Kippenberger for over an hour; so felt that she could cope with our 30 to 40 girls aged 6 to 13 years. And she did!! Even while she facepainted girls as two of her characters there was silence in the hall; and then she entertained them storytelling and performing for over an hour. The parents had finished their meeting before Mary had finished!!



Jocelyn Morrin
Tikokino Guide leader

To Whom it May Concern

Dear Sir/Madam

Mary Kippenberger and Peter Charlton-Jones

In July 1997 Mary and Peter entertained the children in 7 branches of Carins Library service over a gruelling one week tour. The response from staff, parents and children was overwhelming.

As a storyteller Mary appealed to the children (and adults) of all ages with her absorbing tales. Her storytelling techniques, honed by years of experience and enhanced by personal experience, captivated the whole audience. She took the time to give individual attention to the children, which ensured a devoted response from all.

Peter's music and songs kept the children excited and amused, perfectly complimenting Mary's stories.

As entertainers they were profssional, prompt and efficient, leaving the staff free to attend to library duties confident that the show was well run.

I would wholeheartedly recommend both these entertainers.



Yours faithfully

Lee Finkelstein
for
T.R.Moore

Chief Executive Officer

Printed in the Hawkes Bay Hearld Tribune

"...Mary Kippenberger who was not only funny but very very funny captured the audience with her clever wit..."

"...Mary Kippenberger was at her hilarious best, which is very very good. She happily demolised the affirmative team..."

"...certainly it is difficult to imagine the heavyweight orator, David Lange past Prime Minister of New Zealand leapfrogging unicorns... The locals though put up a great challenge against the vistors especially the only local local (as in Central Hawkes Bay) and the only woman debater, Mary Kippenberger. Mary is the Grand-Daughter of the great New Zealand General and Jim Hopkins made a shrewd observation when he suggested in his summing up that it is now obvious why Rommel abandoned North Africa to the Eight Army in 1943!"

"Congratulations! the 'Bookclub' was awesome!"

"Kippenberger at her best in 'Bookclub'" (review title)

"Tough one-woman play well told. Kippenberger tackles the incredibly tough task calmly and naturally and her Debrah is friendly and likable as she tells her story of literary intrique. Its quite a tale and its a tale well told."


Mary Kipp was 3rd equal in the Hawkes Bay Entertainer Actor of the year 2000 for her role as Debrah in "The bookclub".

Dear Mary

Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule, to speak to our group on Friday 13th October 2000. We all thoroughly enjoyed your hilarious storytelling. We have never laughed so much, and you certainaly captured everyone's attention. Nobody is ever too old to have a good laugh, and that certainly happened on Friday

We wish you well, and hope that it wont be too long before you return to see us again.

Yours sincerely

Coline Scott
Office Admin.

To whom it may concern,

We had the pleasure of Mary Kippenberger visting our school on Friday 10 Novemeber 2000. She is extremely enthusiastic and motivational speaker. She involved her audience in the stories she told and the children loved the props she used throughout her session with us. There were opportunities for the children to become part of the stories she told.

The children found her stories humorous and enjoyable. She certainly captivated every child's attention.

We look forward to Mary visting our school again and we can't wait to hear about her new adventures.



Yours sincererly

Catherine Larkin
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL