Kahurangi Dance Co.

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 6

Kahurangi Dance Co.

Kahurangi Maori Dance Company, 8 p.m., Great Hall, Arts Centre. Running time: Two hours. Reviewed by Lex Matheson.

Anticipation can be strangely deceptive! A sub zero temperature outdoors, (its usually that inside the Great Hall as well), the cold stone of the Arts Centre quadrangle, and mist rising through the polluted air of Rolleston Avenue didn’t augur well for a night at the theatre. How dangerous it is to anticipate anything theatrical. Kahurangi were warming the audience through song until showtime, a blazing fire burned in the grate, and the full house — almost a rarity in Christchurch at the moment — buzzed with a different and more positive anticipation. Kahurangi have been here before and the audience was already converted. From the moment the first bodies appeared through the elegantly lit mist to the last moment when the entire company stood arms and eyes raised heavenwards there was never any question — this was live cabaret theatre at its very best. It defied description and definition, changing constantly in style and form — one minute the powerhouse of traditional haka, the next lyrical modern harmonies, hard hitting thematic contemporary dance, or madcap comedy

— each with a confidence and panache that comes only from dedication and commitment.

The first half follows a journey from the beginning of time exploring beautifully through traditional song and dance the two houses of learning — the whare wananga, and the whare tu taua.

The second half of the show was enigmatic and again deceptive. Just when the audience thought it knew where it was, the ground shifted and we were taken somewhere else. What started as an apparent pub cabaret act, all lame, electric guitars, and synchronised movement, suddenly produced a delicately poignant (and wonderfully drunken) “I'm Feeling Blue,” followed by a brace of Andrews Sisters/Rudy Vallee type numbers which lulled the audience into thinking “oh yes, its nostalgia time.” But no, it was comedy time with the host, William Winitana, impersonating first Julio Inglesias, then Willie Nelson, and then, just for good measure both of them at the same time.

Just when we thought it was safe to wipe away the tears of laughter, a tissue with a hole poked in it and some sublimely inspired lyrics produced a “Phantom of the Opera” parody which stopped the show.