Taro King by Vela Manusaute

Wed, 20 Oct 2004

Kia ora Koutou

This week at BATS we have Taro King by Vela Manusaute - for five performances only so be in quick to book.

And coming up next week the much anticipated STAB 2004 - woohoo! Kicking off with Sniper - experiential theatre - not for the fainthearted, opening on Wednesday 27 October. Book in now as places are limited to 30 per performance. This show is on at the Starlight Ballroom but you can book through BATS. Following that we have Certainty created by Kristian Larsen - 15 nights, 15 new works.

Earlybirds can pick up a STAB season ticket to see these two fab shows for only $22 - contact the BATS box office for more info.

BOOK NOW - To book for any performance simply reply to this email with your name, number of tickets and date you wish to attend. We will reply to confirm your booking and you can pay when you come to the show.

Love BATS x

Taro King by Vela Manusaute Season: Wednesday 20 ­ Saturday 23 October Time: 7.30pm, plus 2pm Saturday matinee Tickets: $16 full / $13 concession

Writer/director Vela Manusaute (Bro Town, Children of the Migration) became the talk of Auckland theatre when 'Taro King' premiered at the Maidment Theatre. BATS is proud to present the Wellington premiere of this distinctly South Auckland play.

Filipo (Samoan born but raised in NZ) cuts taro for a living, searching for and dreaming about the land of milk and honey that his father promised him. His friendship with Raj, Filipo's Fijian Indian workmate, comes under pressure when the coup in Fiji brings their lives to a crashing halt. Cultures clash in the back room of a supermarket in Otara, South Auckland.

'Taro King' is Pacific Island Theatre incorporating physical theatre, dance and song. The cast features Rajeev Varma (Awhi Tapu, D'Arranged Marriage), Aleini Tufuga (Simi¹s Plight, The Songmakers Chair), Ene Petaia (Dawn Raids, Two Days in Dream) and Ana Tuigamala (Good Hands, The Songmakers Chair).

"....I was deeply excited by the authenticity of the world and the voices that Vela was bringing to the stage...... [Vela's] work is deeply felt and brilliantly satirical at the same time...... It is a creative force driving us from the margins. Vela is one of those voices - a mouthpiece from South Auckland." Christian Penny, Head of Directing, Toi Whakaari , New Zealand Drama School, 2004.

ENDS

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