Burlesque meets Pacific, in memory of Teaiwa

After a successful first showing in 2016, The Purple Onion is back for two nights only, as part of the Kia Mau Festival and in memory of Teresia Teaiwa.

The Purple Onion will feature at Hannah’s Playhouse on Friday 16 June and Saturday 17 June with half of the proceeds going towards a scholarship fund in the name of renowned Pacific academic Teresia Teaiwa, who passed away this year.

At a time when the Pacific identity and diaspora in New Zealand was evolving, The Purple Onion, formally one of Wellington’s premier strip clubs, was a pioneer in the adult entertainment industry.

The show contributes to a conversation central to the Pacific’s rich history. Alongside other infamous shows such as ‘The Dawn Raids’ by Pacific Underground and ‘The Factory’ by Killa Kokonut Krew, The Purple Onion acknowledges the evolution of Pacific identity in New Zealand and not only unearths some aspects of Pacific culture which are often swept under the rug, but also some of the flamboyancy and elegance of the era.

The creative master mind behind the show, Director Tupe Lualua says that this show holds significant and special importance more than any other show that she has done.

“It is only fitting that we dedicate some of the proceeds of this show to a scholarship in the name of my dear friend and mentor, Teresia Teaiwa. She challenged perspectives, unearthed aspects of Pacific culture and she told stories with conviction. The Purple Onion does exactly that.” Says Lualua.

“For The Purple Onion, I really wanted to zoom in on the movers and shakers from the Pacific who were active during the 1960’s and 70’s.

“I place Teresia alongside some of our most influential movers and shakers, including Pasi Daniels and Carmen Rupe. She, along with Pasi and Carmen, were staunch in telling our stories.

“I am really excited for The Purple Onion to take the stage. Our audiences will be transported into a world where fantasies became reality and against all odds, those who were marganlised, created a space where they could be free and where they were accepted.

“They’ve paved the way for generations to follow. That in itself, is a powerful story.” Says Tupe Lualua.

Get tickets here: http://www.hannahplayhouse.org.nz/1617-purple-onion/

ENDS

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