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Tammy Davis Stars in New World War I Docudrama
Tammy Davis Stars in New World War I Docudrama
Tammy Davis (Outrageous Fortune) features in the new docudrama DANCING IN THE SKY, the compelling story of William Rhodes-Moorhouse, the first airman to win a Victoria Cross for wartime bravery.
DANCING IN THE SKY premieres on Maori Television on ANZAC Day, Monday April 25, 2011, and brings to life the extraordinary story of Rhodes-Moorhouse – and his mystery Maori heritage. It’s directed by Davis’ brother Julian Arahanga, who played Nig Heke in 1994’s blockbuster film Once Were Warriors. The pair both appeared as actors in the 1999 Warriors sequel What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? – but they didn’t have any scenes together.
“It was a great experience to really work together in Dancing in the Sky,” says Davis, who played loveable larrikin Munter in Westie hit Outrageous Fortune. “We’ve got great mutual respect for each other’s craft.” Says Arahanga: “Tammy brought the cheekiness and gregarious charm that William Rhodes-Moorhouse had. I’m really proud of the performance he delivered.”
Other familiar faces appearing in DANCING IN THE SKY are Loren Horsley (Eagle vs Shark) and Ngapaki Emery (Until Proven Innocent). Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots, Little Bushman) wrote the music.
Arahanga says he became intrigued by William Rhodes-Moorhouse (26 September 1887-27 April 1915) after hearing that although he was born to great wealth in England, he had Maori roots. And despite the vast amount written about the war hero, no one knew the identity of his Maori granny. “The mystery of that had huge interest for me,” says Arahanga, “and I wanted to unveil the layers.”
He discovered Rhodes-Moorhouse’s mother Mary Ann was the fruit of a relationship between high-profile Wellington politician and settler William Barnard Rhodes and Ngāti Ruanui woman Otahui. Mary Ann, William Barnard Rhodes’ only child, inherited his wealth and moved to England, where her son was born into a very affluent milieu that indulged his love of planes and car-racing.
But William Rhodes-Moorhouse’s family never talked about his Maori heritage, says Arahanga. “The first time he got a sense of it was when he came to New Zealand in around 1906 and was greeted with a full powhiri, which surprised him. He’d never had the opportunity to meet Maori or live in a Maori way.”
ENDS
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