Going West Books and Writers Festival is celebrating its 20th
year by announcing a history-making partnership with Auckland’s new home for
Māori theatre, Te Pou.
Together, they will present a Kōanga (Spring) Festival
offering a range of performances, writing workshops and readings beginning on 1
September with a brunch for koroua and kuia (older men and women) from
the industry and local community, culminating in a community Whānau Day of
storytelling on Saturday 12 September.
Going West Books and Writers Festival manager, Naomi McCleary,
says the first time she met Te Pou, she was taken by their vision and
energy.
“Te Pou’s creative and production teams are hugely talented.
Like us, they have an inclusive approach and we are thrilled to work with
them,” says Ms McCleary.
Te Pou Kōanga Festival Director, Amber Curreen say
Kōanga is traditionally a time of joining together and combining efforts to
plant for the next harvest.
“We believe in supporting the development of new stories in
the regenerative and joyful nature of the season, so it’s a perfect time to be
teaming with Going West Festival.
“We acknowledge and pay homage the last arts festival of its
kind in Auckland, Te Koanga; Spring Festival of Maori Arts, held in 1990
hosted by Dame Georgina Kirby and the Māori Womens Welfare League, where Don
Selwyn’s legendary Maori Merchant of Venice was first staged.
“It has been 25 years since then, so herald in the spring at
Te Pou Theatre with a three week long celebration of fresh new stories for the
stage! ” says Te Pou.
Lauded theatre work, Sister Anzac, by Geoff Allen,
runs from 3-6 September at Te Pou Theatre. Its director, Amanda Rees says
she is thrilled to be part of the Going West Books and Writers Festival - Te
Pou collaboration. “This will be the first time Sister Anzac is performed in a
theatre. I can’t think of a better time for its debut,” says Ms Rees.
Te Pou presents a
development season of The Great American Scream by award-winning
playwright Albert Belz in the Going West Festival from 17-19 September. On the
evening of October 30th, 1938 America thought the world was ending
due to a broadcast radio play by Orsen Welles, based on H.G Wells War of the
Worlds.
Te
Kupu, a week long programme supporting new stories and storytellers takes place
at Te Pou 7 – 12 September. This programme includes Te Pou
Tuhi: Theatre Alchemy - The Playwrights Cookbook with Albert Belz.
An opportunity to participate in a weeklong course of Master classes presented
by this award winning playwright.
There’s also Whakarongo Mai: Three evenings of new
plays by emerging playwrights, hear them here first and share your feedback
with the author. Te Puhi by Cian Elyse White,
Wednesday 9 September, 7pm; Good Behaviour by Liebchen Tamahori,
Thursday 10 September, 7pm and Into the fire by Jatinder Singh, Friday
11 September, 7pm.
Heat 3 of Going West’s famous
Poetry Slam takes place at Te Pou on Tuesday 8 September, 6.30pm–9.00pm.
Three finalists from each of four heats will compete in the Grand Final. The
Grand Slam Final prizes are: First prize $1000 • Second prize $500 •
Third prize $300.
For the full Te Pou Theatre Kōanga programme, visit https://www.facebook.com/koangafestival
or email info@tepoutheatre.nz.
Read the Going West Books and Writers Festival programme
at www.goingwestfest.co.nz
For all bookings go to: www.iticket.co.nz
The Festival is grateful for support from the Waitakere
Ranges Local Board, Creative New Zealand, The Trusts Community Foundation,
Foundation North and the Douglas family Trust.
Key dates:
3-6 September
Sister Anzac. Te Pou Theatre, 44a Portage Road, New Lynn
8
September
Heat 3 Going West Poetry Slam. 6.30pm, Te Pou 44A Portage Road, New Lynn
11- 13
September Going
West Books and Writers Literary Weekend. Titirangi War Memorial Hall, 500 south
Titirangi Rd, Titirangi
12
September
Going West Poetry Slam. Titirangi War Memorial Hall, 500 south Titirangi Rd,
Titirangi
12
September
Te Pou Community Whānau Day, 44a Portage Road, New Lynn
17-19
September
The Great American Scream. Te Pou Theatre, 44a Portage Road, New Lynn
No comments:
Post a Comment