New Work Combines Comedy and Music to Explore Identity

New Taki Rua Work Combines Comedy and Music to Explore Identity

Written and performed by Hayley Sproull
Directed by Jo Randerson

“What right do I have to call myself Māori? I don’t look Māori, I wasn’t raised Māori. To the outside eye, I’m your regular, pale skinned Kiwi”

Wellington actor and comedian Hayley Sproull explores her identity in the new fast-paced one woman show Vanilla Miraka in Wellington for a limited season in November.

Taki Rua Productions presents Vanilla Miraka at James Cabaret in Wellington from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 November.

Created by Hayley and directed by Jo Randerson, Vanilla Miraka combines theatrical performance, stand-up comedy and music to tell the story of a wāhine grappling with her whakapapa, her identity and her place in multi-cultural Aotearoa.

Hayley said she began writing the comedy three years ago after a number of conversations with friends about being Maori and what that meant to her.

“I’ve always known about my Maori background, but my family lost some of the links along the way and being Maori was never talked about or explored when I was a child.”

Hayley (25) said she became interested in exploring her whakapapa and Vanilla Mirakaincludes real-life situations which arose on her journey.

“People will see different things in the show depending on their own backgrounds.”

This Wellington season of Vanilla Miraka is presented by Taki Rua Productions as part of its development programme.

Vanilla Miraka is at James Cabaret, Hania St, Wellington from 4-7 November. Tickets are available at www.eventfinda.co.nz. For more information visit www.takirua.co.nz

ENDS

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