Where We Once Belonged

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Event Where We Once Belonged
Venue Downstage Theatre @ Hannah Playhouse (1973 - 2013), Wellington, New Zealand
Umbrella Event New Zealand International Arts Festival 2008
First Date 8 March 2008
Last Date 16 March 2008
Dates Estimated No
Status Professional
World Premiere Yes
Part of a Tour Yes
Description A Samoan coming-of-age story. The staging of Where We Once Belonged draws on traditional Samoan fale-style storytelling techniques where the audience sits right around the performance area. In Samoan tradition two forms of performance illustrate the relationship between ritual and theatre. The first of these is the fofo (native doctor) who performs shaman-like rituals for the healing of illnesses. The fa'aluma (or clown) performs satirical village comedy for the entertainment of the community. Where We Once Belonged honours both these traditional forms of performance in a contemporary and innovative way. Alofa, Lili and Moa are typical teenage girls growing up in the fictitious Samoan village of Maleefou in the 1970s - they tease the local boys, misbehave at school and worship Charlie's Angels. But there is a darker side to Alofa's life. She struggles with a troubled relationship with her unforgiving father, who cruelly forces her to keep his secrets.
Description Source Programme
Primary Genre Theatre - Spoken Word
Secondary Genre Comedy
Drama
Storytelling
Subjects Culture
Pacific
Samoan
Teenagers
Related Events
Organisations
Contributors
Name Function Notes
Goretti Chadwick Actor Lili/Mrs Cunningham/Siniva
Pua Magasiva Actor Lealofi/Asu
Robbie Magasiva Actor Filiga/Sisifo
Anapela Polata'ivao Actor Moa/Tausi/Mrs Samasoni
Joy Vaele Actor Alofa/Pisa
Dave Armstrong Adaptor
Nic Smillie Costume Designer
David Fane Director
Colin McColl Director
Tony Rabbit Lighting Designer
Michael Tuffery Set Designer
John Gibson Sound Designer
Sia Figiel Writer
Works
Text Nationality New Zealand
Samoa
Production Nationality New Zealand
Event Status Completed
Data Source
Source Description
Programme New Zealand International Festival of the Arts programme 2008
Data Set Theatre Aotearoa
Event Identifier 193002