4 December 2018

A stage play that examines the theme of tino rangatira in a stark future where water is no longer free is coming to Pātaka Art Gallery and Museum in early December.

The play, The Night Mechanics, from award-winning playwright and theatre director Mīria George, is set in a future where people battle to get access to clean supplies of fresh water.

The play debuted in August 2017, but has been redesigned and reworked for a six date regional tour of the North Island during December, with one date at Pātaka on Thursday.

George said the play’s heroine, “Hine”, played by Amanda Noblett, is pitted against the corporate monster of “The Water Company” after a fluke of nature puts her a on collision course over supplies of the resource.

“The Night Mechanics is inspired by the world today and the fight for free and clean water through the issue of tino rangatiratanga,” said George.

Pātaka Director Reuben Friend said he was delighted to welcome the play to the gallery.

“As one of New Zealand’s leading spaces for Māori art across a host of mediums it’s great to be able to highlight such an important cultural issue as water through a stage play like this.

“Water is such an important part of all of our lives, so we are glad to host a production that promises to challenge the audience and make them think it’s about something that has relevance today.”

George said the play’s reworking for regional spaces included performing without theatre lights, placing a greater emphasis on the strength of the cast’s acting.

In addition to music from Karnan Saba the play’s stars actors are Sarita So, Taungaroa Emile and Raai Badeeu.

George also brings an impressive CV of experience to bear on the production, having won the Bruce Mason Playwright Award in 2017 and having become a Fulbright Scholar.

Her past plays include and what remains and The Vulture, productions that toured New Zealand, Australia, Hawai’i, Canada and the United Kingdom.

George has brought the play to life in conjunction with acclaimed playwright, director and producer Hone Kouka, with whom she runs Tawata Productions, a creative company that works across theatre and film and is based in Wellington.

ENDS

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