Following the success of their production ‘Vula’ Wellington based theatre Company The Conch have begun development work on a new major production Masi jointly supported by Creative New Zealand and The British Council.

The new production builds on a blend of European and Pacific performance traditions interweaving the craft, mythology and ritual use of Fijian Masi or barkcloth with an autobiographical story of the meeting of artistic director Nina Nawalowalo’s parents in 1950’s New Zealand.

The show will be workshopped in Fiji in July where the team will join with masters of Fijian dance and chant alongside renown illusionist Paul Kieve.

Paul is considered to be one of the leading international designers of illusion started with the first ever stage production of H G Wells’ The Invisible Man at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Paul has also worked on many productions with The Royal National Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company including Edmund starring Kenneth Branagh, Sam Mendes’ production of The Tempest, Richard Eyre’s production of La Grande Magia, and Sir Peter Hall’s production of The Bacchae.

His collaboration on Masi is supported by the British Council.