Māori and Pasifika Festival

Join us for two new play readings devised and developed during the Māori and Pasifika Festival at The Court!

Pacific Underground present Our Table and Scholars on Tuesday 8th August in The Forge. Pacific Underground (PU), formed in Christchurch, is Aotearoa’s longest running Pacific performing arts organisation. Since 1993 PU has shared its stories of Pasifika communities living in Aotearoa through theatre plays, music concerts and events. If you’re able book a ticket for Our Table and stay for the whole evening. 

Scholars
Directed by Tanya Muagututi’a
Reading at 5.30pm 

Tavita and Monte have an unlikely friendship that has spanned nearly fifty years.  Their own battles with growing up, and finding their path away from their close knit aiga and whanau is their common bond as well as their love of Rugby.  In Samoa and Aotearoa the two are faced with unbelievable odds for love, family and survival.   

Scholars is the result of research studies and music created by Tanya Muagututi'a during her Macmillan Brown Pacific Arts Residency in 2010.  There, Tanya was able to research former scholarship students.  In the foyer of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies the Pacific Underground album Island Summer was recorded, amongst the artworks and photos of Aotearoa's finest Pacifika artists.

This presentation will be a work-in-progress of this brand new play.

Our Table
Directed by Pos Mavaega
Reading at 8.00pm

24 hours at one busy family's kitchen table is the equivalent to a 21st party, a church service, a poker game, and a concert all rolled into one. 

"In this house our table is always full..."

Sweet music, tasty confessions, friends who don't leave, nosy neighbours are plated up, and clinking your glass could be the start to a long night of roasting, not toasting.  

Chop suey check-ins, kalo gossip, koko alaisa for dessert, with a guitar - jam on the side.

From an idea by PU's youngest member  14yr old musician and actor Ella Mavaega and PU's musical director Pos Mavaega.  This piece will be workshopped from scratch! Come and witness the inner-workings of how PU use simple inspirations close to home to create a theatre piece for everyone to enjoy.

An intimate evening of acoustic Music and Spoken Word Poetry showcasing some of Christchurch's premier Pasifika and Maori talent. Feat: Mahalia Simpson, Marley Sola, Daisy Speaks, Byllie Jean and many others. 

Limited seating so book early!

Space: Pub Charity Studio
Date: Friday 11 August
Time: 6.30pm

 Y|NOT - Where's Your Game At?

This workshop looks to explore "the play" on stage. Its FREE so come on down and bring your A-Game!

Y|NOT is comprised of young Pasifika artists who just want to CREATE work, share some stories, and get in on some action. 

The workshop will take place on Saturday 5th August from 10am - 1pm at The Court.

There are only 20 positions available for this workshop.

Featuring extracts from Hone Kouka’s Home Fires directed by Tania Gilchrist and extracts from Brown Man Running and Comcare by Ben Brown and Pohlen Newbery directed by Tola Newbery. An opportunity to be part of the development of emerging work by local Māori artists. 

Space: Pub Charity Studio
Date: Saturday 12 August
Time: 6.30pm

Run by local practitioners Jade Marie, Kerepeti Paraone and Savanah Tukariri, an opportunity for young people to experience a wide range of Maori Movement, the skill it requires and how to creatively integrate it into storytelling

Space: Pub Charity Studio
Date: Saturday 12 August
Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm

An opportunity for industry professional to come together and discuss a vision for the future of Māori and Pasifika theatre in Christchurch. Hosted by The Court Theatre. 

Space: Pub Charity Studio
Date: Wednesday 9 August
Time: 6pm