Urban Love Story with Music, Fashion, Dance, Theatre and Art

Media Release: For Immediate Release

MUSIC, FASHION, DANCE, THEATRE AND ART COLLIDE IN AN URBAN LOVE STORY

Tawata Productions in association with Auckland Live presents
The Beautiful Ones
Written and directed by Hone Kouka, MNZM

Defiant dance, big bold beats and a story of love created by Hone Kouka and featuring live vocals and a return to acting by Ria Hall, The Beautiful Ones brings the late night sheen of a city club to Aotea Centre’s Lower NZI from 19 – 26 November. Projected imagery, live music, beats, fierce dance and late night talk collide to produce an electrifying underground experience with an urban Pacific flavour.

The Beautiful Ones invites the audience onto the large scale set with open dance floor, and into the dynamic and heady world of Hana and Ihia. Will the promise the young lovers made to each other withstand the temptations of the modern world?

Auckland Live is proud to partner with Tawata Productions on this unique immersive experience, led by Hone Kouka (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu), an acclaimed Māori screen and stage writer, winner of the Bruce Mason Award, multiple Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards and Adam NZ Play Awards. His plays have been produced internationally and throughout New Zealand, and Hone’s film work over the last eight years has included executive producing on Mahana and co-writing hip hop film Born To Dance. In June 2009, Hone became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to contemporary Māori theatre.

‘I gave myself a challenge to create a piece away from a text based work – The Beautiful Ones is the result. A hybrid of art forms and cultures and to have so many incredible artists to collaborate with is daunting and exciting. ’ - Hone Kouka, writer and director.

Visually striking, this multi-media work features roots/hip hop songstress Ria Hall performing to contemporary music by rising producer K*Saba and award-winning musician Tama Waipara. The show is choreographed by Tai Paitai, teamed with design by artist Johnson Witehira and fashion stylist Sopheak Seng. Dolina Wehipeihana is taking on the role of dramaturg.

A highly talented crew have brought this site specific performance to life with performances by Ria Hall (AIA Marae DIY), Tia Maipi (Born To Dance), Scotty Cotter (The Rehearsal), Sharn Te Pou, Paige Shand (As Night Falls), Te Hau Winitana, Braedyn Togi and Raai Badeeu.

Theatre production house Tawata Productions, co-founded by Hone, produces the works of Māori and Pasifika writers. Based in Wellington, Tawata specialises in the creation of new multi-media work, presenting a diverse performance experience from Aotearoa to the world beyond. Its work includes the sweeping epic TŪ; multiple award winning I, George Nepia; the Cook Islands drama Sunset Road, and kiwi/Cambodian theatre show Neang Neak’s Legacy.

‘Kouka describes the production as "loud, brash and youthful". And while it is all of these it is also poetic, lyrical and highly original with some exquisite dance routines... a uniquely satisfying and very entertaining work’ –The Dominion Post

TICKETS ON SALE WEDNESDAY 19th OCTOBER FROM TICKETMASTER

The Beautiful Ones plays
Sat 19 November, 8:00pm & 11:00pm (Late Night Club Show)
Tue 22 November 6:30pm & Wed 23 – Sat 26 November 8:00pm
Lower NZI, Aotea Centre, Auckland
Tickets from Ticketmaster.co.nz

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