Actors proud of Maori traditions

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 4

Actors proud of Maori traditions

By

LEE MATTHEWS

Traditional Maori values through contemporary theatre are what the young Maori group, Te Ohu Whakaari, aims at. The group — Paora Maxwell, Tina Cook, Neil Gudsell, and Esther Fala — is now performing in Christchurch. Their first show was held at The Venue, in Worcester Street, last evening. They are adamant they are not a poi-swinging, haka-performing concert party-

“We use the resources of our Maori culture but we work in contemporary theatre,” said Tina Cook. They sing, dance, and act to get their message about life across. The birds and insects of Tane’s forests (Tane was the Maori god of the forests), traditional food as opposed to junk food, young people going to their first tangi or funeral, and the place of young women in society are some of the topics they put in their shows, j They write much of

their own work, drawing on Maori mythology, life experiences, poetry and writing by New Zealand authors for material. Each item is workshopped to see if it will work. Te Ohu Whakaari started as a Labour Department subsidised work scheme in 1983 and has since turned into a fully developed theatre group. The present members have been together since December. It was one of the few theatre groups for young Maoris, said Paora Maxwell.

They try to promote Maoridom and to show young people, especially young Maoris in cities, that they have a strong culture to draw on. Paora Maxwell said one of the group’s Auckand shows, was attended by a group of street kids. “We were standing halfnaked in our dressing rooms at the end of the show and they all trooped in and thanked us. They had got a lot from the show and they invited us back for kai.” However, the group was emphatic that their work

was “not just for Maori people.” Esther Fala said there was a great deal of joy in their work, which they hoped to pass on to young people. "There is joy in being young and in being Maori, and a lot of pride,” she said. The four will perform at The Venue this evening, on Friday and Saturday evening, and at a 4 p.m. matinee on Sunday. The Student Arts Council has arranged their tour and the Post Office Savings Bank is sponsoring it.