Awhi Tapu at TAPAC, Auckland - June 22nd – 2nd July 2011

2011 1 Press Release: Awhi Tapu at TAPAC , Auckland 22nd June – 2nd July 2011 DATE: 13th June 2011

Taki Rua Productions presents Awhi Tapu at TAPAC, Auckland – June 22nd – 2nd July 2011

For immediate release

Where do we stand as young people in the community? Who do we follow now all the old people have left?

At the foot of the Urewera ranges lies Awhi Tapu - a desolate forestry ghost town; with the forestry industry closed down most of the inhabitants have left. Wendyl, Sonny, Casper and Girl Girl have only each other and their fertile imaginations to rely on. This is a story of loss, belonging, but most of all, friendship; it heralds a new wave of writing around Maori issues and characters; direct, unsentimental and challenging.

Originally commissioned and produced by Taki Rua Productions in 2003, Awhi Tapu has previously played to audiences in Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Palmerston North, Gisborne and Auckland.

In 2011 we celebrate Matariki with a restaging of this critically acclaimed production to audiences in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington. "Awhi Tapu is about reconciliation, it's about overcoming great loss to discover all that really matters are those who we love most," says playwright Albert Belz. This fast, funny and moving piece delves into issues faced by young people today and the effects that change has on a small community.

ENDS

www.takirua.co.nz

REVIEWS

NEW ZEALAND HERALD ‘Two parts comedy, two parts tragedy and several shots of intense drama. ..Don’t miss the opportunity to see this play.’

GISBORNE HERALD

‘Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart rending’

THEATREVIEW

‘The play weaves past and present, fantasy and reality, comedy and tragedy to compelling effect ... he uses insightful humor to make a powerful statement about the consequences of displacing people whose need to stand tall in their own land is deeply rooted.’

SALIENT

‘Awhi Tapu’s revelations of small-town violence and arson generated such heat in this small theatre space that it threatened to consume the audience. With this play Albert Belz flew straight into the top echelon of Maori playwrights.’

Awhi Tapu also received an award from The Human Rights Commission for its "positive contribution towards harmonious race relations - a marvellous story, presented with humour, passion, pathos and hope."