Te Tupua – The Goblin (Arrowtown)
Schedule
Tue May 21 2024 at 07:30 pm
UTC+12:00Location
Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall | Queenstown, OT
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Experience a visit from a ghost as history comes to life! Te Tupua–The Goblin tells the tale of a disenfranchised child, a shipwrecked sailor, a slave, a tattooed freak.A Scottish lad of 10 is driven into slavery aboard His Majesty’s ships, circa 1800. After 15 years at sea, he is cast onto the shoreline of Aotearoa. The fight for survival begins.
Te Tupua – The Goblin is a solo play written and performed by John G Davies. Te Tupua deals with atonement concerning bicultural New Zealand and the hidden trauma of our shared violent history.
Early 19th century in Aotearoa was a dynamic time. Māori were becoming aware they were no longer alone, and that other races from the north were coming. Pākehā who lived here at that time forged an existence on Māori terms. The recorded experiences are vivid and fraught with danger, yet these stories reveal deep alliances, friendships, marriages, and hard-won loyalties. This play is drawn from those histories and the central character is an amalgam of the experiences of some of those who lived here at that time.
This play, performed very simply with three props and a whole heap of energy, evokes a traditional storyteller from the days of the communal fire. John explains, “When I go out into that space, the stage, I feel connected to all the ancient storytellers, to the people who imitate, embody, project, and summon their life force to engage their audience. That’s me, I’m one of those."
Ancient Greek drama and the Japanese Noh Theatre continue to inspire and guide this work. Modern theatrical convention often uses masks to disguise identity for a comedic interplay or as an attractive theatrical prop. In this play, Te Tupua – The Goblin the appearance of the past is made possible using a traditional theatrical device, which is the mask.
This play is suitable for ages 10 and up.
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Where is it happening?
Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall, 33 Buckingham St, Arrowtown,Frankton, New Zealand, QueenstownEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
