‘Mighty’ Kiwi production invited to top arts festival
‘Mighty’ Kiwi production invited to top international arts festival
Michael James Manaia by John Broughton premiered at Downstage in 1991 and was swiftly recognised as a landmark work in New Zealand theatre history and went on to tour internationally.
Twenty-one years later Taki Rua revived the play with a brand-new production which drew rave reviews at this year’s New Zealand International Arts Festival. History repeated itself still further when the production was invited to participate in the Melbourne International Arts Festival, recognised as one of the major multi-arts festivals in the world.
On
Saturday 1 September Taki Rua is presenting two tour
fundraiser performances of Michael James Manaia at Downstage
(3pm & 7.30pm), to raise money towards freight, airfares and
accommodation. Tickets are $30 ($25 concession) and are
available from downstage.co.nz or
801-6946.
Michael James Manaia is a
tour-de-force one man show with Te Kohe Tuhaka
playing the title character in the current production.
Telling the story of a Vietnam war veteran with both Maori
and Pakeha ancestry the play was received well by critics
with Tuhaka’s powerful and subtle performance drawing
particular praise. Comments included:
'Thrillingly
addictive viewing. Tuhaka's is a captivating, bold and
fearless performance.’ – The New Zealand Herald
(NZ)
‘A confident, dynamic and fully charged
performance that is as physical and energetic as you'll ever
see.’ – The Dominion Post (NZ)
‘(Michael
James Mania )packs a mighty wallop.’ – Theatreview
‘Tuhaka offers us a superb, gutsy, unforgettable
experience.’ – Capital Times (NZ)
Mary Lou Jelbart Artistic Director, fortyfivedownstairs said:
“Michael James Manaia is one of the most
truthfully written and powerfully performed theatre works I
have seen in many years. We are absolutely delighted to be
presenting this outstanding production by Taki Rua at the
prestigious Melbourne Festival”
About the
opportunity, Taki Rua Tumuaki/Artistic Director James
Ashcroft said:
“It is fantastic to have the quality
of the production recognised internationally, and to have
the opportunity to represent New Zealand at such a
high-profile international festival. Touring a production
– even a one-man show – is expensive. Our tour
fundraiser performance will make a big difference to our
company in terms of making the most of this exciting
opportunity.”
ends