Te Reo Shakespeare premiere: Troilus and Cressida

The Maori Troilus and Cressida PIC CREDIT Matt Grace

THEATRE: NZ

WORLD PREMIERE

Te Reo Shakespeare premieres for the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival

A sparkling new Māori translation of Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida, starring Rāwiri Paratene as Pandarus, debuts for the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival.

Ngākau Toa’s dynamic approach to the Bard will feature haka and waiata created especially for the production and a 14-strong Māori ensemble cast. Performed in Māori, Ngākau Toa’s The Māori Troilus and Cressida has been translated by Te Haumiata Mason.

After their debut for the Festival, the Auckland-based company will travel to the UK, where their unique version of Troilus and Cressida, co-produced by Rāwiri Paratene, will play at London’s Globe Theatre. Ngākau Toa is representing New Zealand at the Globe’s multi-lingual Shakespeare festival for London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games celebrations. The festival will feature an unprecedented 38 international companies each performing Shakespeare’s works in their languages.

Paratene starred as Koro in the critically acclaimed 2002 film Whale Rider. He has enjoyed a varied career as an actor, writer, director and producer in theatre, television, radio and film. His connection to the Globe goes back to 2009, when he was the first Māori actor to perform there, in Romeo and Juliet.

The Māori Troilus and Cressida is at Te Papa Amphitheatre on 9 & 10 March for the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival, Wellington, 24 February – 18 March. FREE.

ENDS

With support from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and Te Papa

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