Twins star in Waituhi

Tu Tangata, Issue 19, 1 August 1984, Page 35

Twins star in Waituhi

Wellington State Opera House will resound with maori waiata from September 8-15. Witi Ihimaera’s opera will be staged there with a cast of well over 50 maori singers.

The opera is called Waituhi The life of the village. With a stronghold of maori talent in the chorus and a libretto of both traditional and modern maori songs the opera promises a unique New Zealand experience. The cast includes 22 single roles with a predominantly maori cast. Auditions were held in May at the Te Herenga Waka Marae, Victoria University, Wellington. Witi said the auditions were so amazing the chorus was boosted so that 60 people will be on stage. The story is based on Ihimaera’s novel Whanau and is set in the village. Twin ten year old brothers will share one of the major roles. Nathan and Tane Gray of Wellington will play Pene, a 12 year old boy who is learning his whakapapa from his great grandfather. Most of the roles are for members of the village, Waituhi. George Karepa returns from the city for his wedding at the village marae. His character is played by Richard Haeata from Auckland. Mattie Jones is the heroine in the story who is in love with George. Her role is played by Lesley Graham from Wellington. Sam Baker is another man in love with Mattie and he is played by Morris Solomon from Gisborne. Rongo Mahana is a farmer who is very concerned about the whanau. This character is performed by Turi Hollis of Wellington. Annie Jackson is the granddaughter of the kaumatua, Paora. She is portrayed by Matira Taikato of Tauranga. Miro Mananui is the village matriarch who is fighting to keep ownership of the land for the whanau.

She is portrayed by one of New Zealand’s leading vocal coaches, Flora Edwards. Hana and Janey are two of the village girls longing to get away from the village to Wellington. They are portrayed by Lisa Tamariki and April Dawn Maxwell, both of Wellington. The kaumatua of the village is Paora. He is endeavouring to teach his mokopuna the whakapapa of the whanau. Against the background of this teaching the other characters are seen. Paora is played by Pou Temara. The supporting roles in the opera include a father and son team who play father and son roles. Abe and John Hurihanganui are from Wellington and director of the opera, Mr Adrian Kiernander describes John as a job discovery for operatic theatre. John is 14 years old. A Maori sea captain is a pastor in the opera. Te Waari (Ward) Whaitiri, at 72 is the oldest member in the cast. He retired nine years ago after 51 years at sea but still likes to keep busy. He is a member of 14 active organisations. Other supporting roles are: Heather Couch, Pauline Murphy, Matauranga Te Maipi, Dovey Taiaroa, Harata Solomon, Marjorie Roes, Hayley Rangi, Erin Ketel, and Maori Chorale singer, Mark Metekingi. Waituhi is the largest theatrical production to be undertaken in New Zealand for many years with a cast of about 60. If the opera is successful it may be staged elsewhere in New Zealand and possibly overseas. “We are hoping this will be the first of many musical events that will happen in the next 10 or so years,” said Witi.