Last Saturday,  Taki Rua held the World Premiere of their latest show Te Kuia Me Te Pūngāwerewere in Te Marae, Te Papa as part of the Capital E National Arts Festival. This show is a prequel to the Patricia Grace classic, The Kuia and The Spider, and is performed entirely in te reo Māori using gestures and movement so that even non-speakers can follow along and enjoy.  We had the privilege of talking to Ama, who is not only one of the performers of the show but also helped to devise the work!

Hi Ama! How would you describe your show in 5 words or less?

A timeless tale of friendship.

What do you want tamariki /children to take away from your show?

That no matter what age, race, gender or species, friendships can be made anywhere and with anyone.

What are you most looking forward to in the Capital E National Arts Festival?

I’m most looking forward to sharing our unique and playful spin on the classic tale, and to see all the beautiful tamariki!

How has theatre helped you grow your creative spirit?

Working alongside other creatives has really helped the growth of my creative spirit. I’ve learned more about portraying different characters, finding deeper meanings within a text, and allowing myself to play and share offers to the work.

What’s your earliest ‘creative’ memory?

Entering a songwriting competition at school. I made the top three! I was quite proud of myself – I had thought I wasn’t great at composing, but it felt great to take on the challenge.

Taki Rua will be performing their amazing show for students all week at the Capital E National Arts Festival before taking the show on the road for a NZ school tour. Make sure to keep an eye out for a performance near you!

Public tickets are still available for other shows this weekend but be in quick! Tickets are selling out fast! Book now.