Theatre in the bush to celebrate new park

Press, 27 January 1988, Page 17

Theatre in the bush to celebrate new park

By

GARRY ARTHUR

One of the most unusual theatrical events of the summer is being prepared for a site on the banks of the Pororari River near Punakaiki, on the West Coast.

At the end of this month and the beginning of next, about 40 local people from Greymouth to Westport who have been trained to act, sing and dance will perform an entertainment called “National Geographic — a forest symphony” to celebrate the opening of the new Paparoa National Park.

It is being directed by Warwick Broadhead, of Auckland, who is noted up there for his unusual productions. For example, he once produced a show around the number seven, with seven actors on seven nights, and so on.

He was in Punakaiki about a year ago, putting on a solo show about his own travels. The locals liked it so much they invited him to come down and direct their own performance.

“I brought the basic skeleton of the story, and when I arrived we wrote new songs about the park,” he says. “The dancing, too, is coming from here.” It tells the story of a young woman who journeys through the forest in search of wealth, leav-

ing home and friends to pursue this quest. On the way, she encounters creatures and situations that lead her deeper and deeper into the heart of the bush.

She does find wealth, but it is not the wealth she expected. Several of the performers act as narrators, and a choir of dancers, singers and musicians express the emotions of the heroine and dance and sing continuously throughout the performance.

The leading role is taken by Caroline Hewlett, of Punakaiki. Ruru Reedy, aged eight, is one of about 10 children also taking part. He has an important dancing role as the guardian of the heroine.

Warwick Broadhead says only a couple of his cast have had any previous experience in the theatre. Most of them have done nothing like it before. Consequently, he has given himself plenty of time to bring it all together. “We have been rehearsing for three months,” he says three

weeks before opening night. “It’s turning out well. There’s so much enthusiasm. A certain beauty is coming through.” He described the show as a “song-dance-story” in four movements, performed continuously. Those involved are not so much the local farming community, although one farming family is very enthusiastic and has a daughter in the show. Most are what Warwick Broadhead describes as “more the craftspeople” of the area. He says the people of the area are very strong characters, and this is coming through in their performances at rehearsals. “Their movements are very individual too,” he says. A lot of the music for the show is being made by the performers, but the director is still looking for some musicians for the orchestra. In the spirit of community theatre, the elaborate costumes are being made by local people using whatever materials they can find, including plant material such as flax from the bush. “It’s

a very visual show,” says Mr Broadhead. “Bring a torch or two, and a cushion, and a raincoat,” says the publicity sheet, taking the West Coast’s famous rainfall into account. However, Warwick Broadhead says the dates were chosen after careful study of weather statistics. “It’s meant to be pretty good weather about that time.” There will be lighting for the earth stage, but this will be supplemented by hundreds of torches in the audience. “They’ll be asked to light certain things,” says the director. “The site is glorious,” says Mr Broadhead. “It’s up the Pororari River which comes out at Punakaiki, and we’re dancing on the earth.” However, there will be raised seating for 200 spectators. The Department of Conservation is helping with that, and the whole performance is being sponsored by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and the National Parks Centennial Committee of the West Coast. Admission is free, but donations are hoped for. The five performances will be at 8.30 p.m. on Friday, January 29; Saturday, January 30; Thursday, February 4; Friday, February 5; and Satur- ... day, February 6. f