Samoan Deaf Theatre Company To Tour New Zealand

Samoa's Silent World Theatre is to tour New Zealand as part of VSA Week - 14 - 20 May.

The critically acclaimed theatre company, made up of 12 deaf students at Apia's Loto Taumafai Education Centre for the Disabled in Apia, will perform in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Nelson.

Loto Taumafai's principal, VSA volunteer Peter West, says he is excited by the prospect of deaf students from Samoa entertaining and educating audiences in New Zealand.

West, a teacher with more than 30 years experience of working with children with disabilities, says the Silent World Theatre has done more to convince ordinary Samoans of the potential for people with disabilities to play a meaningful role in society than any number of public relation campaigns.

"There's nothing like it in New Zealand," he says. "Audiences are going to go away feeling both entertained and inspired."

The theatre's programme will include traditional Samoan legends and dances and skits on contemporary Samoan life.

Please copy this email to anyone you think might be interested in seeing the Silent World Theatre.

SILENT WORLD THEATRE ITINERARY

Entry to performances is by koha/donation

Auckland

Monday 14 May
Sir Douglas Bader Intermediate, Court Town Close, Mangere, (opposite
McDonalds) 1pm performance. Contact Alice 021 250 5350.

Tuesday 15 May
Kelston School for the Deaf, Auckland 12 Noon.
Malaeola Community Centre,16 Waikauri Pl, Mangere 7pm.

Wednesday 16 May
Samoa House, 283 Karangahape Rd 10am.
Owen Gilmore Theatre, Auckland College of Education, Gate 4, 60 Epsom Ave.
7pm

Thursday 17 May
Music Auditorium, Auckland College of Education, Gate 2, Epsom Avenue. 12
noon & 7pm.

HAMILTON

Friday 18 May
Peachgrove Intermediate School, Peachgrove Rd, Hamilton East at 12.30pm
-contact at peachgrove: Simone Paul 07 8557596

WELLINGTON

Sunday 20 May

Te Papa - Te Marae. 1 pm
Congregational Church of Samoa, 180 Owen St, Newtown, 5pm.

Monday 21 May

Wellington College of Education Hall, Donald St, Karori, 12.30pm.
(Bookings required. Phone Jeremy or Karin at VSA 472 5759)
Ilott Concert Chamber, Wellington Town Hall. 7pm.

Tuesday 22 May

Mungavin Hall, Mungavin Ave, Porirua, 12.30pm.
Parliament performance - 6 - 7.30pm (Not open to the public.)

CHRISTCHURCH
Thursday 24 May

Linwood High School, lunchtime.

Friday 25 May

St Paul's Trinity Pacific PIC Hall, cnr of Cashel and Madras Sts,
Christchurch. Central, 7pm

NELSON

Sunday 27 May

The Boathouse, Wakefield Quay, 3pm

For more information contact: Karin Creedy or Trevor Richards, Ph 04 472
5759 or e-mail: trichards@vsa.org.nz

Jeremy Rose, Communications Coordinator, Volunteer Service Abroad. Ph 04
472 5759 or 025 247 2491

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