KIA MAU FESTIVAL 2016 7-25 June

20 May 2016

BOLD THEATRE. FRESH DANCE. MANA MĀORI. KIA MAU.

KIA MAU FESTIVAL 2016

7-25 June

Warming the winter month of June with a spellbinding festival of theatre and dance from Māori artists. Join us, in Te Whānganui-a-tara, at the head of the fish, Te Ika a Māui, Wellington. Eight companies performing eight productions over three weeks - 7-25 June 2016. Wellington will be left breathless.

The 2016 programme features THE VULTURES presented by Tawata Productions, VERSIONS OF ALLAH presented by Ohokomo, TIKI TOUR presented by Hāpai Productions, SHOT BRO presented by Mookalucky Productions, MANA WAHINE presented by Okareka Dance Company (Akl), SOLOTHELLO presented by Te Rehia Theatre (Akl), LA VIE DANS UNE MARIONETTE presented by White Face Crew (Akl), WHAKAAHUATIA MAI presented by Taki Rua Productions.

Under the stars of Matariki – world-class theatre and dance will shine.

Kia Mau is about us all. Here. Now. Join us.

FEATURING:

Ohokomo – VERSIONS OF ALLAH at BATS Theatre, 7-11 June

Versions of Allah is a delightful and clever two-hander that whizzes its audience around the world and back again as cousins Chisholm, Melanie, Dr. E. Bunton and Vicky reconnect to their staunchly Catholic Samoan Grandmother living in Wellington NZ.

Tawata Productions – THE VULTURES at BATS Theatre, 8-18 June

The Vultures is an ethereal, surreal, and magically magnificent new play by Mīria George. Delving into sibling dynamics, big business, and our polluted ecology. The siblings are circling to resolve the matter of their ancestral land – the Sister Nurse, the Magazine Magnate and the Prodigious Businessman – they must agree to expand the empire… even if it means destroying the world in the process.

Mookalucky Productions – SHOT BRO at BATS Theatre, 9-11 June

Using his utility belt of tools like stand-up comedy, expert dance moves, mime and puppetry, Rob Mokaraka unfolds his depression in an entertaining yet insightful way, shining light on a traumatic event - you will hear why he ended up being Shot Bro. Laugh. Cry. Laugh. Realise.

Hāpai Productions – TIKI TOUR at BATS Theatre, 14-18 June

Tiki Tour is a one-woman sketch comedy show written and performed by Kura Forrester – celebrating humans in all their glory, awkward overseas behaviour, kiwis abroad, young people, classic travel stories and of course there is a touch of romance in there too.

Te Rehia Theatre Company – SOLOTHELLO at Circa Theatre, 15-18 June

SolOTHELLO weaves together Shakespeare's original prose, modern English and Te Reo Māori to deliver a dynamic, cheeky and solo interpretation of one of history’s more tragic plays.

Whiteface Crew – LA VIE DANS UNE MARIONETTE at BATS Theatre, 17 & 18

The hilarious White Face Crew present the award winning show La Vie Dans Une Marionette. Packed full of gags, hilarious moments and surprises, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, as you are drawn into the epic melodramatic world of the Pianist and his Puppet.

Taki Rua Productions – WHAKAAHUATIA MAI at Te Papa Tongarewa, 18 June

Kahu Hotere’s Whakaahuatia Mai shows a moment of discovery for Miharo, a young boy who must share his birthday with the passing of his kuia. Through his time on the marae he discovers the beauty of tikanga, the importance of Tangihanga and gains a deeper understanding of his whakapapa.

Okareka Dance Company – MANA WAHINE at Circa Theatre, 21-25 June

Taiaroa Royal, Malia Johnston and Taane Mete come together to create a powerful collage of imagery and movement that transcends time and space. Death, life, land and creature inspires the 70min performance that emanates the life force of women. Mana Wahine is a commanding work that will uplift the spiritual status of “the woman” within us all.

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