Le Tauvaga – The Competition by Louise Tu'u

MEDIA RELEASE 

4 August 2010

Playmarket Metro Theatre Playreading Series

Le Tauvaga – The Competition by Louise Tu'u

So… you’re a teenage boy struggling to be as kosher with your fa’a Samoa as you are in the Palangi world? What do you do? What don’t you do? Why do you do what you do? Why do they do what they do? And how exactly do you get yourself in with them?

Dash jumps in the deep-end and tries out for the most competitive group at school – The Samoan Competitive Group. And it’s as scary and as it sounds.

This warm and funny play by Louise Tu’u was written for Pacific Island teenagers who call New Zealand home. Shunning the idea of traditional theatrical performance in a theatrical setting it has been performed in three Auckland community centres.

Community plays a large part in all of Louise’s work. Louise was the first New Zealand or Pacific Island playwright to be awarded the Royal Court International Theatre Residency in London and since her return has written and directed a number of short films and presented her most recent play Providence exclusively for the homeless community in central Auckland.

Directed by Iaheto Ah Hi and featuring some of New Zealand’s most talented up-and-coming pacific talent; Shadon Meredith (His Mother’s Son), Natanao Keni (Once Were Samoans), Leilani Clarke (Bullrush) and P.I.P.A. students, this reading, as part of the Playmarket Metro Theatre Playreading series is not to be missed.

This venue is quite special to me" says Ms Tu'u. "This is where my first play premiered in 2004, and I wanted to have it here because I wanted it to be shown in the community and make it more accessible."

Jenni Heka , Playmarket’s Maori and Pacific Playwright Development Coordinator says ‘The series has been successful beyond our expectations, both the local community and theatre community have really taken ownership of this programme. It’s exciting to present these plays and that we can showcase the incredible talent of playwrights, actors and directors in Manukau City.’

Le Tauvaga – The Competition

Thursday 19th August

Doors Open 6.45pm

Reading starts 7pm

Metro Theatre

362 Massey Rd

Mangere East

Koha Entry

 ends

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