Playwright pens script to ‘send us all to hell’
A passionate academic, a right-wing politician, and a reverend with a penchant for poetry walk into a room, and it’s hate at first sight.
From awardwinning KiwiSamoan playwright
Victor Rodger comes the world premiere season of Uma Lava.
The irreverent comedy was inspired by the play No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre, but ‘‘Samoanified’’ in its characters and humour.
Directed by David Fane and Vela Manusaute, the play was the first deliberate comedy Rodgers had written in 20 years.
‘‘I was cracking myself up writing it,’’ Rodger said. ‘‘I think we’re all going to hell with this one.’’
The three personalities clashed in many ways, including their respective embrace or detachment to Samoan culture.
The characters were written for Goretti Chadwick and Anapela Polata’ivao, but the role intended for Robbie Magasiva was recast due to his other work commitments.
‘‘Up-and-coming’’ actor Mario Faumui would take on this role instead.
Polata’ivao, who has been invited to perform acclaimed Wild Dogs Under My Skirt in New York in January, performs with Chadwick as comedy duo Pani and Pani.
They created and presented the Ma¯ ori Television show Games of Bros, so for them this play was something a bit different.
‘‘I wanted to write something for Samoan actors to sink their teeth into,’’ Rodgers said.
The play promised to confront and offend, but Rodger was fine with that.
‘‘You’ll never write something everybody likes, but that’s okay so long as you stand behind it.’’
Rodger wanted to create characters based on traditionally ‘‘good’’ people, but examples of each in the Pacific community that were ‘‘really self serving’’.
"They’re wretched examples of the worst of Samoan personalities.’’
The play was ‘‘a sprint,’’ fast-faced and confronting.
To enjoy this show, all you needed were a good constitution and the ability to laugh at things other people might not, Rodger said.
‘‘If people do go along with it they’ll have a fantastic time.’’
The play runs at Circa Theatre from November 23 until December 7. The show is not appropriate for children.