The Contest

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Event The Contest
Venue Watershed Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
First Date 16 September 1993
Last Date 26 September 1993
Dates Estimated No
Status Professional
World Premiere No
Part of a Tour Yes
Description 'Takes a Samoan legend as its core, and melds ancient and contemporary performance approaches to demonstrate the legend's relevance for making sense of life in the 1990s. Intercuts parallel events in the legendary life of Vela, a young man who vanquishes his late father's tormentor by triumphing over him in an oratorical contest, and the life of Junior, a teenaged Samoan rapper from Mangere, living with his mother, who is seeking to discover his Samoan cultural identity'.
Primary Genre Theatre - Spoken Word
Secondary Genre Dance
Drama
Puppetry
Adaptation
Recitation
Pacific Island Theatre
Subjects Fale Aitu
Identity
Legends
Myth
Organisations
Contributors
Name Function Notes
Mele Ah-Sam Actor Mother/Lulu
David Fane Actor Mulialofa
Andrew Iosefa Actor Kauanui, chief
Shimpal Lelisi Actor Vela/Junior
Vela Manusaute Actor Alopese
Mary-Jane O'Reilly Choreographer
Mesepa Eruera Costume Designer
Helen Fuller Costume Designer
Nina Muller Costume Designer
Suzanne Tamaki Costume Designer
Pita Taouma Cultural Advisor Matai / Elder
Sefa Enari Dancer
Erolia Ifopo Dancer
Mishelle Muagututi'a Dancer
Aynsley Tapuvae Dancer
Misa Tupou Dancer
Selina Forsyth Designer
John Parker Designer
Justine Simei-Barton Director
Kerry Robertson Graphic Designer
Paul Simei-Barton Graphic Designer
Helen Todd Lighting Designer
Aaron Taouma Lighting Operator/Technician
Mark Adams Mask Maker Puppet and Mask-maker
Mark Dashper Musician
Paul Simei-Barton Playwright
Sarah Hunter Publicist
Mark Adams Puppet Maker
Mark Adams Puppet Maker Puppet and Mask-maker
Paul Cullen Puppet Maker
Rose Beauchamp Puppeteer Puppetry
Dave McCracken Set and/or Property Maker
Sean Coyle Sound Operator/Engineer
Text Nationality New Zealand
Samoa
Production Nationality New Zealand
Further Information Inspired by the poem 'The Contest' by Albert Wendt. Taki Rua (Wellington) 1 - 11 Sept 1993.
Event Status Completed
Data Set Theatre Aotearoa
Event Identifier 199539