Poropiti: Prophet shines spinetingling light on painful history

Despite the temperature set for comfort at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, the rise of goosebumps were inescapable.

In a modern Maori theatre piece, musician TK Mara and theatre practitioner Tola Newberry explored the history of Aotearoa through song and movement.

The performance was awash with soul and sincerity as the men shifted from past to present, exploring pre-European times, the arrival of settlers, first contact, conflict and the peaceful resistance movement and attack of Parihaka.

Poropiti: Prophet gives memory to the revered Taranaki spiritual leader Te Whiti O Rongomai and his famed instructions of peace.

‘‘Lay down your weapons,’’ the audience, which filled more than half the venue, heard while they sat captivated and silent, presumably moved by the performers’ palpable emotion.

It’s nearly 140 years on since the sacking of Parihaka, but the injustices are still felt in modern times and that pain was thrust back into the spotlight at the Taranaki Arts Festival show.

Through his proficient guitar playing and solemn yet stirring Maori waiata, Mara told a story of the times while Newberry illustrated the moments with slow and intentional choreography.

A lot of the movement took place on the floor of the stage and depending on where you chose to sit it was, at times, difficult to see what was happening.

But the story was further depicted by screen projections and a switch in costumes, as the clothing progressed from korowai to shirts to trackpants and caps.

The music switched to English and a more urban, street sound was heard as the men continued the journey to now, where the dislocation of society continued.

But with a final projection of red sky depicting the break of morning, hope for the future was present.

It was a poignant end given the recent Parihaka - Crown reconciliation, known as He Puanga Haeata - a new dawn.