State of the Arts
Out of this world
What happens when you cross a popular psychedelic rock band from Wellington with a creative video artist and an experimental theatre director? An Intergalactic History of Pairs with the Orchestra of Spheres, which premieres at the Bruce Mason Theatre in Auckland from July 19-23. The theme is pairs and audiences will see double – from dancing lips, giant eyeballs and aliens from outer-space, all of whom come in pairs. ‘‘The history of pairs takes audiences on a theatrical intergalactic journey,’’ says director Stephen Bain. ‘‘Audiences will be propelled by the infectious sounds of a band that draws on traditional dance music to make new sounds that constantly feed into the melting pot of theatre magic.’’ An Intergalactic History of Pairs was created in collaboration with Bain and videographer Erica Sklenars.
The power of four
Just over 15 years ago, Atamira Dance collective formed under a common bond of a love for dance and a hunger for indigenous stories and themes. Since then the company has become a leading creative business, taking its art to the world and collaborating with many of the country’s finest talents. The company’s latest work Manaia, which opens at Q Theatre in Auckland from July 5-9, presents four female choreographers, Gabrielle Thomas, Louise Potiki-Bryant, Kelly Nash and Nancy Wijohn, who have all been an important part of the journey. Under the theme of Manaia (from the mythical creature of the same name) this year’s short works programme bridges human endeavour to spiritual aspiration.
History lesson
Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa, a landmark homegrown exhibition on New Zealand music will open at Auckland War Memorial Museum on October 28. A partnership with the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, Volume is the first major exhibition to tell the story of popular music in Aotearoa. From Pokarekare ana to Poi e, from Loyal to Royals, from dance halls to DJs and from vinyl to mp3s and back again, Mark Roach, on behalf of the NZ Music Hall of Fame Trust, says: ‘‘It’s our goal to develop, celebrate, and recognise New Zealand music and musicians, and with Volume we’re doing just that. Volume honours not only our inductees, but our music community and our rich music heritage and we are deeply indebted to the Museum for their support and enthusiasm for this exhibition.’’
Play in te reo
For the first time, Briar Grace-Smith’s classic award-winning Maori play Purapurawhetu will be presented in full te reo Maori for two seasons at Te Pou Theatre from July 6-9 and at The Herald Theatre from July 13-16 as part of Matariki celebrations. New Maori contemporary theatre company, Ruia Taitea Creative, is presenting the work in response to counter fears that the Maori language could die off in our lifetime. ‘‘It’s vital to put Maori work on the stage that isn’t limited to historic stories,’’ says director Tainui Tukiwaho. ‘‘This is an opportunity for us to be part of the revitalisation of te reo in our modern lives, making the language live and breathe today.’’