16 Nov 2010
Local Pacific theatre with international ties comes to Mangere in December with Tautai, a coming of age story penned by Tokelauan/Samoan New Zealander Iaheto Ah Hi.
The writer says the play weaves together song, dance, gaming, break dancing and giant sea turtles with his love of Polynesian mythology and storytelling.
As a resident of Manurewa, Mr Ah Hi lends his work a distinctly South Auckland voice that appeals to a global audience.
The story of Tautai has recently been adapted to become a story arc of local feature film Matariki, which has travelled as far afield as the Toronto International Film Festival and opens at Event Cinemas in New Zealand on 18 November.
Originally written as a one-man play, Tautai has been reworked into a four-person production which features many familiar and talented local faces including Iaheto Ah Hi (Matariki, Sione’s Wedding), Shimpal Lelisi (Sione’s Wedding, BroTown), Semu Filipo (Shortland St) and Victoria Schmidt (Sione’s Wedding). Oscar Kightley (RadiRadiRah, BroTown) takes the reins as director.
Tautai is supported by Creative New Zealand and Auckland Council and opens on Wednesday 1 December and runs until Saturday 11 December.
Tautai
1 – 11 December – 7.30pm
(No show Sunday 5 December)
Written by: Iaheto Ah Hi
Directed by: Oscar Kightley
Starring: Iaheto Ah Hi, Shimpal Lelisi, Semu Filipo and Victoria Schmidt
Lighting Design: Katrina Chandra
Set Design: Sean Coyle
Tickets: $20 / $15 from Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku or www.eventfinder.co.nz – A booking fee may apply
Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
Corner Bader Drive and Orly Avenue
Mangere, Manukau
Phone: 09 262 5789
Email: mangereartscentre@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Web: www.manukau.govt.nz/mangereartscentre
Share this
