Masks bring characters to life

When Aymee Karaitiana puts on a mask the characters come alive.

The Papakura actor is gearing up for her first professional stage show at Auckland’s Q Theatre next month.

She is starring in the play Leilani which is blending 16th century Italian theatre, Commedia dell’arte, into a contemporary Kiwi production.

The drama follows the life of Leilani, a young Samoan woman who is left pregnant with nowhere to go.

Encountering characters from the ‘‘Queen of K Rd to the city’s homeless to the young urban capitalist’’, Leilani takes on a journey of self-discovery and ‘‘searches for home . . . in the most unlikely of places’’.

Karaitiana plays four characters in the play represented by specially crafted masks by sculptor Kate Lang.

She is ‘‘nervous but excited’’ for her first big show after graduating from Unitec drama school in 2013.

‘‘The mask makes you come alive and puts your body out there . . . with masks, you have to use your body to make it work.

‘‘You put the mask on and your body goes into extremes . . . the body is the expression.’’

Karaitiana has to make quick costume changes throughout the performance and features in 20 scenes.

Director Pedro Ilgenfritz says the masks ‘‘represent characters of society’’ and aim to create the equivalent of Italian Commedia dell’arte in New Zealand.

Writing the play was a collaborative effort between the director and the three actors including Irasa Siave, Natasha Daniel and playwright Gary Henderson.

‘‘Each actor picked a mask and created a specific type with a particular way of thinking, speaking and moving.

‘‘I have created several theatre works before in this style, and this is the second play utilising masks,’’ Ilgenfritz says

‘‘The story is a comedic melodrama and I hope to see the audience laugh and have teary eyes at the end of the show.’’

Leilani is also the first work by Ilgenfritz’ Mahuika Theatre Company which aims to support young female actors through mask and physical theatre.

The show runs from August 4-13 at Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland, 7:30pm. For tickets go to qtheatre.co.nz.