11 Jul 2012
Following a sell-out tour of Germany, Black Grace’s Waka makes its New Zealand debut in a five-centre North Island tour from 24 July.
Met with a standing ovation and rapturous applause upon its performance in Europe, Waka’s initial 35-minute show has evolved into a 60-minute performance since its return to New Zealand
Choreographed by Neil Ieremia, Waka explores the idea of a raft as a metaphor for hope. The work is inspired in part by The Raft, a video installation by Bill Viola; and two historical paintings: The Arrival of the Maoris in New Zealand by Louis J. Steele and Charles F. Goldie (1898), and Theodore Gericault’s Raft of the Medusa, depicting the terror of a shipwreck.
Black Grace has been at the forefront of New Zealand dance for the past 17 years. The group have toured North America and Canada, performing at venues including the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC (Short Works, 2008) and New York’s 42nd Street. The company have also toured to Noumea, New Caledonia, Guam, Mexico, Sydney, Tokyo and Switzerland.
Waka features dancers Sarah Baron, Thomas Fonua, Sean MacDonald, Daniel McCarroll, Amy Moxham, Carl Tolentino and Zoe Watkins.
NELSON: Theatre Royal, 24 and 25 July, 7:30pm
(bookings through Ticketdirect – www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 224 224)
WELLINGTON:Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 27 – 31 July, 7:30pm
(bookings though Patronbase - www.patronbase.com)
WHANGAREI: Forum North, 4 August
(bookings through TICKETEK – www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK)
HAMILTON: Playhouse Theatre, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, 8 –11 August
(bookings through TICKETEK – www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK)
AUCKLAND: Maidment Theatre, 25 – 29 August, 7:30pm
(bookings through Maidment Theatre – www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz or
09 308 2383)
For more information on Black Grace, go to www.blackgrace.co.nz
For media inquiries: Michelle Lafferty +64 9 368 4180 or elephantpublicity@paradise.net.nz
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