Pasifika Playwrights Development Forum 2007

MEDIA RELEASE
FEBRUARY 23 2007

THE THIRD PASIFIKA PLAYWRIGHTS DEVELOPMENT FORUM 2007
DEVELOPING VITAL VOICES

A daring and bloody Maori tragedy set on the cusp of the 19th century musket wars, and a play about the survival of an afakasi family (half caste Palagi/Samoan) living in New Zealand are presented to the public alongside a morning forum for those in Auckland involved in Maori and Pacific Island theatre, as part of the Third Pasifika Playwrights Development Forum.

As part of Auckland City’s Pasifika celebrations and AK07’s Watch This Space programme, on March 9 the public have a chance to see presentations of two new Pacific works in progress for the stage at THE EDGE.

The forum is organised by Playmarket and funded by Auckland City Council and Creative New Zealand with support from STAMP AT THE EDGE and UNITEC. It provides support for emerging Maori and Pacific Island playwrights through development of new work and an annual chance to come together and learn from each other, says Playmarket Director Mark Amery.

“We relish our rich contemporary cultural identity as a nation, yet the frameworks within the theatre mainstream for the development of the indigenous voices of Aotearoa and the Pacific remain poor,” argues Playmarket Director Mark Amery. “Emerging Maori and Pacific Island playwrights are a vital force in the development of a distinctive voice in our contemporary theatre culture, yet their potential remains relatively untapped.”

In recognition of this, Playmarket, New Zealand's leading script development organisation and Auckland City Council came together over three years ago to provide an annual development programme for playwrights of the Pacific. The forum is part of the Celebrate Pasifika and AK07 programmes, with the programme coordinated by leading Niue/Samoan playwright and producer Dianna Fuemana.

On FRIDAY MARCH 9 THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO:

2 P.M. Herald Theatre, THE EDGE. Under My Mother’s Mattress by Fiona Collins
The story of the O’Connor family and their survival as an afakasi (half caste palagi/Samoan family) living in New Zealand. Everything sacred is kept under the mattress. Directed by Gary Henderson

6.30 P.M. Herald Theatre Flintlock Musket by Kirk Torrance
Coloured by MacBeth, this bloody tragedy shows the explosive results when a search for mana and a desire for utu mix as the outside world crashes into an iwi, isolated, unprepared and unwilling for the arrival of strangers and muskets. Directed by Rachel House.

9.30am - 12.30pm Pasifika Theatre Forum
Limelight Bar, level 2, Aotea Centre

An essential event for those interested in participating in the development of Maori and Pacific island theatre in Auckland.

Playwrights Fiona Collins and Kirk Torrance have worked with their directors since November 2006 on their work, their plays selected through an open application process. Working with professional directors and dramaturgs, the casts are a mix of UNITEC students and professionals.

“Too often,” says Fuemana, “a play’s development for independent companies becomes secondary to the need to meet production dates. This is not always a choice that is made, but a pressure brought to bear on the writer by necessity. We hope this programme will help encourage the growth of stronger theatre development practise.”

The Pasifika Playwrights Development Forum 2007 is part of Celebrate Pasifika, featuring exhibitions, conferences and performances across film, theatre, arts and crafts and other areas.
The Forum is also part of the inaugural AK07 Watch This Space programme, the beginning of an initiatives by the Auckland Festival and Arts Regional Trust to identify and develop New Zealand work.

ENDS

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