THE FACTORY CAST ANNOUNCED
IN ONE OF AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL’S MUST-SEE SHOWS, SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S BEST MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMERS BRING NIU SILA TO THE STAGE
The Factory
6 – 11 March, 2013
Q Theatre, Auckland
Auckland Arts Festival is delighted to announce the cast for the brilliant home-grown production and New Zealand’s first Pacific musical, The Factory.
With some of the New Zealand’s very best established and emerging musical theatre talent, including renowned New Zealand
actor Ross Girven (Sweeney Todd, We Will Rock You, Ngati), Aleni Tufuga (Wild Bunch, Taro King, The Factory), acclaimed performer and fashion designer Lindah Lepou, Taofia Pelesasa (Frigate Bird Sings), Taupunakohe Tocker (I AM TV, Pukana), Tavai Faasavalu (NZ’s Got Talent) and introducing the newly-discovered singing superstar Milly Grant-Koria, this fresh new version of the vibrant, hilarious and heartfelt musical runs 6 to 11 March at Auckland’s Q Theatre.
The Factory is a tribute to the courage of the Pacific migrants who came to New Zealand during the 70s searching for ways to
support the families they had left behind and striving to make new lives for themselves. Arriving in Aukilani with her
father, a young Samoan woman with big dreams and hopes for a brighter future is immediately set to work in a textile
factory. There she discovers that each time the factory bell rings she feels further away from her home and aspirations.
Created in South Auckland by the formidable Kila Kokonut Krew (KKK), whose work includes Taro King, Once Were Samoan and Strictly Brown among others, this new version of The Factory, produced by Auckland Arts Festival, comes to the Festival after a highly acclaimed premiere season at Mangere Arts
Centre in 2011. The show is directed by the KKK’s Anapela Polataivao (Night Shift, Taro King, Strictly Brown) and Vela Manusaute (Taro King, Strictly Brown, Island Mafia, Playaz Night), with music by Poulima Salima (Tatau, Nafanua, O Le Pe’a) and musical direction by Tama Waipara (Brel, Raising the Titanics, Rent).
According to Auckland Arts Festival Artistic Director, Carla van Zon, “The Factory is a brilliant musical with a deeply potent story that reflects a reality for many immigrants to Auckland, including my
own parents a generation earlier. Created about Auckland and the Pacific community by one of the city’s most significant
arts orgnisations Killa Kokonut Krew, this new version, produced by Auckland Arts Festival, has been further developed
giving the company the opportunity to revisit, enhance and refine the work. Set in the 70s, the era of dawn raids, with
a superb new cast and some new songs, the team is hugely enjoying bringing this gem of NZ Pacific musical theatre to the
stage again, to star at the heart of the Festival.”
The soundtrack ranges from 70s disco to soul and Pacific Roots, and the performers are accompanied by a live band. The full cast of 14 comprises Vai Autagavaia, Tavai Faasavalu, Paul Fagamalo, Sela Faletolu, Ross Girven, Milly Grant-Koria, Edward Laurenson, Lindah
Lepou, Joanna Mika, Taofia Pelesasa, Sally Sakalia, Taupunakohe Tocker, Aleni Tufuga and Troy Tuua.
A solid blend of drama, comedy, music and dance that ultimately explodes with literal electricity. You'll know what I
mean when you go. – Theatreview
The Factory demonstrates that musical theatre is the ideal form for expressing the heightened emotions and indomitable optimism of
the immigrant story. – NZ Herald
Musical director Poulima Salima pulls off a remarkable fusion with a live band that has delicate string arrangements
combining with the driving rhythms of Pacific Island drums, a soulful saxophone and some serious guitar based funk. – NZ Herald
An entertaining and confronting full-scale musical, replete with humour and interwoven subplots that combine to make for
an all-round satisfying experience – Theatreview
SEASON DETAILS
ShowThe FactoryWhereRangatira, Q Theatre, Auckland WhenWednesday 6 March – Saturday 9 March, 7.30pm
Sunday 10 March, 5pm
Monday 11 March, 6.30pmDuration1hr 30min no intervalPost-show talkThursday, 7 MarchPriceA Reserve $55 / Friend/Conc/Group $49
B Reserve $45 / Friend/Conc/Group $39BookingsBook at THE EDGE: www.buytickets.co.nz / 09 357 3355 / 0800 289 842
Group bookings: groups@the-edge.co.nz / 09 357 3354
Book at Q Theatre: www.qtheatre.co.nz / 09 309 9771 Informationwww.aaf.co.nz Social MediaFacebook: facebook.com/Aklfestival
Twitter: @Aklfestival Media enquiriesSiobhan Waterhouse, Publicist. P: +64 (0)9 374 0317 | M: +64 (0) 22 126 4149
CREATIVE CREDITS
Directors: Anapela Polataivao and Vela Manusaute
Composer: Poulima Salima
Musical Director: Tama Waipara
Line Producer: Jonathan Alver
Set Design: Sean Coyle
Cast: Vai Autagavaia, Tavai Faasavalu, Paul Fagamalo, Sela Faletolu, Ross Girven, Milly Grant-Koria, Edward Laurenson, Lindah
Lepou, Joanna Mika, Taofia Pelesasa, Sally Sakalia, Taupunakohe Tocker, Aleni Tufuga, Troy Tuua
Produced and presented by Auckland Arts Festival
With support from Creative New Zealand and ASB Community Trust
*****
About Auckland Arts Festival: The Auckland Arts Festival is Auckland's premier festival of New Zealand and international arts. The globally-recognised
event celebrates people and culture, and showcases the unrivalled location and landscape, cultural diversity and vibrant
energy of New Zealand’s largest and most multicultural city.
With over 50 events that have been carefully selected or specially created, comprising performances, exhibitions,
installations, seminars, workshops and family activities, the Auckland Arts Festival 2013 programme offers anyone keen
to ignite their creative spirit a unique chance to experience the arts in unexpected ways.
Auckland Arts Festival is governed by the Auckland Festival Trust and the Board chaired by Victoria Carter. The Trust
receives core funding from Auckland Council through the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act, and from Creative New
Zealand through the Toi Tōtara Haemata programme.
The Festival’s executive team is Artistic Director Carla van Zon and Chief Executive David Inns. Significant support for
the Auckland Arts Festival 2013 is received from the ASB Community Trust, NZ Major Events, The Lion Foundation and Pub
Charity; Gold Sponsors Westpac and Colenso BBDO; Silver Sponsors Auckland Airport and Classic Hits; and other sponsors,
patrons and donors.
ENDS