WORKS from eminent playwrights are being brought alive by leading directors to celebrate Maori talent and culture.
Taonga Whakaari, the Maori Playwrights Festival, features a number of plays by home-grown talent until the end of next month.
Works from luminaries, such as Briar Grace Smith and Albert Belz, are being staged by directors Cathy Downes and Raymond Hawthorne, and star actors.
They include Rawiri Paratene, Tama Waipara, Bronwyn Turei and Miriama McDowell.
The festival came out of talks at a playwrights’ hui in 2007, which identified a need for Maori to have a place to hone their craft.
Graeme Bennett, general manager of Papakura’s Hawkins Theatre, believes that the festival is the best way to expand Maori theatre into the community, and to provide a space for writers to showcase their works.
“It’s an opportunity for Maori to write, perform and produce their stories in a purpose-built venue, and the Maori Playwrights Festival gives the theatre a chance to interact with our community,” he says.
A reference group of well-known and respected performing and screen arts practitioners have worked to shape the festival.
As the executive producer of the festival, Mr Bennett hopes it will grow in size and stature.
“Our aim is to increase the number of productions to include multiple venues, such as marae around the region, and eventually to tour nationally and internationally.”
