Hīkoi: Then and Now

The 70s and 80 was a formative time for Aotearoa with much going on politically and socially. In Hīkoi, and set against this backdrop, we meet two ordinary, extraordinary characters Charlie and Nellie who fall in love, have kids and endeavour to live happily ever after. And, as often happens, it is left to the children to make sense of decisions made on their behalf by the people who love them.

Hīkoi boasts an impressive cast and crew and we asked them what they were like and what was important to them as teenagers.

Nancy Brunning (1989) – Writer and Director (Ngāti Raukawa; Ngāi Tūhoe)
When I was a teenager I was busy, nerdy, stroppy. John Lennon Glasses were awesome, and so were whales and tasseled edged scarves...and wrist watches. Finishing 7th form was important, my friends and not getting pregnant before I left home...

Jarod Rawiri (1996) – Actor (Ngāti Whanaunga; Ngāti Tūwharetoa; Ngāti Hine)
When I was a teenager I was lanky, sporty and thoughtful. My mate Geoff and I outside his family’s restaurant “Hurricanes Grill' in Bondi, Sydney. We were 16 and spent the summer working here and checking out the sites of Sydney.

Kali Kopae (2001) – Actor (Te Arawa; Ngāti Whakaue; Ngāti Pūkeko; Ngāti Awa)
When I was a teenager I was vain, rough and ambitious. Important to me when I was 16 was hang time with my friends and school holidays on my Grandparents farm with my brother.

Mara TK (2002) - Sound Design (Kai Tahu; Ngāti Kahungunu; Maniapoto)
When I was a teenager I was bashful, optimistic and a virgin. This photo is from my first trip to Wellington, I'd just been published by Huia for a story in Te Reo Māori...when I left kura kaupapa I lost the language - now, through my own daughter being enrolled in kohanga reo, I'm finally getting it back.

Gavin Rutherford (1987) - Actor
When I was a teenager I was sunburnt, awkward and pink. I grew up on the beach. Scottish skin. Scabs and cracked lips.

Miria George (1998) – Actor (Te Arawa; Ngāti Awa; Arorangi; Rarotonga & Areora, Atiu, Kuki Arani)
At 18 years old, I just wanted to be a citizen of world, in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, hitchhiking with Hanne.

Amy Macaskill (1998) - Costume Design (Kai Tahu)
When I was a teenager I was busy, ambitious, searching. The same basic things were Important to me then as they are now, Fashion and Friends. This photo is from a 'fashion shoot' way before selfies were a thing.

Aroha White (2002) – Actor (Ngā Puhi)
When I was a teenager I was bubbly, sneaky and creative.

When I was a teenager the most important thing in my life were my friends and family, I don't think that part of me has changed at all.

Wai Mihinui (2003) – Set and Publicity Design (Ngāti Raukawa)
When I was a teenager I was loud, vibrant, immature. Friends and goofing around was important to me during my high school time. I have fond memories of running around and being silly a lot of the time.

Hine Parata-Walker (2007) – Actor (Ngāti Porou; Kai Tahu)
Important was not embarrassing myself. Trying to get out of swimming training. Getting in the front row of the kapa haka group.

Ngakopa Volkerling (2001) – Actor (Ngāti Wai; Ngāti Hine; Taranaki)
When I was a teenager I was cheeky, loyal and outspoken As a teenager what was most important to me was finishing high school, being able to tell my Nan I went to university, not being pregnant before my time and the well being of my siblings and niece. As well as getting drunk, hanging out with friends and ... boys.

The Te Kākano Season of Hīkoi opens at Circa Theatre in Wellington on Saturday 28 June and runs for two weeks. Bookings can be made at Circa 04 801 7992 or www.circa.co.nz

The Mourning After

Watch playwright Ahi Karunaharan and director Miria George cooking traditional Sri Lankan kai and talking about theatre show, The Mourning After.

The Mourning After

October 16, 2012 presented by Tawata Productions

Written and Performed by Ahi Karunaharan

VANAKKAM, AYUBOWAN.

Tickets for Tawata's final production of the year in Te Whanganui-a-tara, 'The Mourning After', are on sale now!

Written and performed by Ahi Karunaharan, 'The Mourning After' follows Kiwi-born Shekar as he travels to his father's village in the pearl of the Orient, Sri Lanka. On his arrival Shekar discovers that the tsunami has swept away the village and all that remains is a single house and those left behind.

As Shekar sifts through the ruins in search of answers, the buried truths of his father's past are revealed.

Featuring sound design by Karnan Saba, lighting design by Laurie Dean and directed by Miria George, 'The Mourning After' is showing for a limited season at Circa Theatre!

SEASON: 7.30pm / 16 -- 27 OCTOBER 2012 

TICKETS: $40 -- $25 / GROUPS 8+ $25

BOOKINGS: 1 TARANAKI ST / 04 801 7992 / www.circa.co.nz

Sunset Road: A peek behind-the-scenes

A photographic montage of the rehearsal process for Sunset Road.

Thank you to Andria Daphnee and Challen Wilson for all your hard work on this photographic montage.

Sunset Road runs until 7 July in Circa Two. To book, call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit http://www.circa.co.nz/.

Sunset Road

Two videos from Tawata Productions about Sunset Road, opening 20 June in Circa Two:

Wahine Māori talk beauty queens: cast members Tina Cook and Aroha White talk about their journey into their characters and the context of the 70s. Discover facts and insights about 1970s Aotearoa

Many thanks to Pikihuia Haenga, Challen Wilson and Hone Kouka for the filming and editing of this interview.

Meet Writer/Director, Miria George of Sunset Road: Miria George and her journey into writing theatre spectacular, Sunset Road.

Many thanks to Pikihuia, Villi, Challen, Hone and Miria for the creation of this video interview.

Sunset Road runs until 7 July in Circa Two. To book tickets, please call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz. 

A Window into He Reo Aroha

Although extremely busy touring He Reo Aroha around the country and all over the world, playwright Miria George takes some time to discuss this moving musical with drama on the waterfront. He Reo Aroha returns to Wellington audiences with performances at Circa Two 16-26 June.

DOTW: What is the story of He Reo Aroha?

MG: He Reo Aroha is a story of two young lovers who get back together! A classic tale of boy meets girl, they fall in love, break up and then overcome an ocean and get back together!

Kali Kopae and Jamie McCaskill in He Reo Aroha.

DOTW: I understand you wrote the play with Jamie McCaskill, what can you tell us about the process of creating this piece? Where did the idea come from?

MG: He Reo Aroha has been created by five Maori artists, Jamie and I wrote the script together, creating the characters and worlds with Hone Kouka and Kali Kopae. We wanted to tell a story of love, of Maori in love, love of family, love of tupuna, love of friends and the love shared by a boy and girl! Jamie, Kali and Hone Hurihanganui composed all of the waiata and songs that feature in He Reo Aroha.

In many ways, He Reo Aroha is a window into te ao Maori (the Maori world) that is not often seen on main-stages in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a celebration of love shared by passionate people!

DOTW: He Reo Aroha is a musical, what can you tell us about the music in this show?

MG: He Reo Aroha features original music throughout the show, from contemporary love songs in the English language to Maori language duets that will have you humming away to yourself as you drive home from the theatre! The music is beautiful, emotional, hilarious and written by Kali, Jamie and Hone – these are very talented people!

DOTW: This show has toured rather extensively, both in New Zealand and overseas; how have international audiences reacted to the story in comparison with New Zealand audiences?

MG: International audiences have very warmly received us, from Honolulu to Toronto, our audiences have been very open to the bi-lingual nature of the show – as often the cities we are touring to are multi-lingual. Audiences at home are fabulous – they understand the idiosyncrasies of the characters and sing along with the Maori language songs – although the Hawai’ians could too!

DOTW: As a playwright, what is your inspiration? Are there any other writers/playwrights that inspire you?

MG: I’m always inspired by the people around me – my family and friends can recognize elements of themselves in all of my characters from various plays. I’m inspired by the world around me, by current events – my work needs to be connected with the reality of our modern world to ensure that what I have to say as a playwright is always relevant to who we are as people!

Miria George

DOTW: What are you working on next?

MG: My next play, Sunset Road, is on the brink of a rehearsed reading! It is a script that has been very fortunate to be developed at the Weesageechak Begins To Dance Development Festival in Toronto, Canada – a playwrights festival that workshops brand new work! Native Earth Performing Arts are a First Nation professional theater company that have a 23-year history developing scripts – they have been an absolute blessing to work with!