Ngati Productions presents:
NGA MANURERE – The Flock
Written by Renae Maihi.
Directed by Rachel House
Starring: Nicola Kawana, William Davis, Renae Maihi, Lana Garland, Sera Henare and Rhys Castle-Hughes
One of the best Auckland plays of 2009, Nga Manurere – The Flock, returns in 2010 for a full season at TAPAC and Waiheke in May. Under the fantastic new direction of Rachel House, audiences that missed out on the first limited season will have a chance to see this acclaimed and talked-about original work.
Last year Nga Manurere was notable for two theatre debuts - Renae Maihi as playwright and Keisha Castle-Hughes first time treading the boards. A fresh new writer attracting an all-star cast to her first effort captured the attention of audiences and press alike, earning critical acclaim for both writer and actors;
“Nga Manurere at Tapac was the surprise jewel of the year for me – emerging playwright Renae Maihi has wisdom, sensitivity, good pace and a fine sense of humour. Forget ‘Vintner’s Luck’ and ‘Fashion Week’, this was the best thing Keisha Castle-Hughes was in all year”.
NZ HERALD DEC. 2009 ARTS BEST SECTION by Janet McAllister
Nga Manurere follows Manawa’s (Nicola Kawana, Jacksons Wharf, Shortland Street, The Man Who Lost His Head) journey to reconnect with her son Morehu, who she gave up through whangai. She is supported by her closest friends Wai (newcomer Sera Henare), Rina (Renae Maihi) and Jess (Lana Garland, Food In A Minute); all single mothers themselves, and guided by her old uncle Rongo, played HILARIOUSLY by veteran actor William Davis (Go Girls). Nga Manurere continues its tradition of firsts, as Rhys Castle-Hughes follows in his sister’s footsteps for his own theatre debut - playing teenaged son Morehu. The show also marks Nicola Kawana’s first credit as producer after more than 20 years as an award winning actress.
The key to this ‘little show that could’ are the deft strokes Maihi paints her characters with, recognisable and familiar to people from all over New Aotearoa. Responses from audiences following last year’s limited season were overwhelmingly along the lines of “that was my sister up there!” or “my aunty”, “my mother” – and in some tearful cases – “that was me…”
Discovered at the Matariki play conference, the budding play was work-shopped (no set, minimal prop use) and weaved traditional Maori performance forms such as poi, waiata, haka and moteatea through the fabric of a contemporary urban story. This year, with the blessing of funding from *Creative New Zealand and Arts Alive, the show blossoms to maturity under the Direction of Rachel House and a team of production professionals, bringing the full impact of Maihi’s script to life.
At the heart of this show is both the humour and pain that come with honesty. Written from the soul and performed from the heart, Nga Manurere explores the ordinary experience of being a solo mum, friend and son - in an extraordinary way.
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*Nga Manurere would not be possible without the help and support we have received from Creative New Zealand, Arts Alive, TAPAC Performing Arts Centre, Artworks Community Theatre, James Beaumont and Margaret-Mary Hollins, and PLAYMARKET, for supporting and helping develop the script at the beginning.
Starring:
Nicola Kawana, William Davis, Renae Maihi, Lana Garland, Rhys Castle-Hughes, Sera Henare.
Nga Manurere – The Flock plays:
AUCKLAND
VENUE: TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Akl (next to zoo)
DATES Wed 12th May – Saturday 22nd May
TIME: 7pm (Saturday – 8pm / Sunday – 4pm)
TICKETS: $30 Adults, $25 concession, $20 groups 8 or more
BOOKINGS: 09 8450295 www.tapac.org.nz
More information or media enquiries to Ben Wood, ngati.productions@gmail.com or 021 505 682