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Theatricals and wow! Productions Present Wahine Mātātoa – A (mainly) True History of Erihāpeti Pātahi
Friday, March 28 – Allen Hall
Brenda Harwood review
The fascinating life story of a fierce and independent ancestor of Wahine Maori is explored by a playwright and actor of Dunedin Cindy dive to his extraordinary play Wahine Mātātoa – A (mainly) True History of Erihāpeti Pātahi.
First presented to the local public in a development season at last year’s Dunedin Fringe Festival, the award -winning play returned to Allen Hall last week for a full season at Dunedin Arts Festival.
Directed by Hilary Halba and Dive, the production presented the return of the young brilliant actresses Millie Manning and Grace Turipa in the central roles of Elizabeth Brown and her fiercely independent ancestor of Kai Tahu Erihapeti Pātahi.
Both were excellent in their roles, exploring the challenges of life to Maori women in modern times and the initial history of Aotearoa, with passion, pathos and humor.
Manning was believable when a young woman confronted the dilemma of the modern life of a pregnancy very early, inspiring in the passionate life lived by her ancestor.
Turipa was equally excellent as the fierce and determined independent Pātahi, whose life choices put her in disagreement with her hapu and led her to distant places in Te Waipounamu.
Simon Anderson returned to fulfill several male support roles, while Dive joined the cast in women’s support roles – the pair playing parents, companions, partners, judges and colonizers.
Both were strong and adaptable, inhabiting several characters easily and adding a lot to the pleasure of the piece.
Increasing the action was an evocative sound landscape, created with Taoka Pūororo Live composed of Ruby Solly and Madison Kelly and presented by Kelly.
Additional touches were added by Sonographer Keri Hunter.
Working with a simple and adaptable set, the actors moved freely over space, subtly lit with Martyn Roberts’s lighting design.
While much of the play remained intact in the development season, this version brought an additional depth to the particular historical story, including a beautiful moment when Anderson – in the character of Pātahi’s husband – sang a touching waiata for his departed wife.
With its fascinating combination of historical and modern stories plunged into Tikanga Maori, and excellent performances, this production of the Arts Festival of Wahine Mātātoa – A (mainly) True History of Erihāpeti Pātahi It was an impressive achievement.
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