Ka Hao te Rangatahi: The New Net Goes Fishing
Meteor Theatre, 1 Victoria Street, Hamilton
28/06/2012 - 05/07/2012
Production Details
Ka Hao te Rangatahi (The New Net Goes Fishing) which will be performed for the first time at Hamilton’s FUEL festival on 28 June and 4 and 5 July.
Ka Hao te Rangitahi is an educational, interactive and very humorous show which takes a unique approach to teaching the Maori language by encouraging children to guide the action on stage with their words.
The lead character, Rima, only speaks te reo and is assisted by an English speaking narrator who translates everything for the audience.
It’s a warm-hearted family show about a young village boy (Rima) who dreams of travel and adventure, but is duty bound to catch fish for his village. When Rima’s magic fishing rod is stolen by a jealous neighbour he decides he must trek thorough forests and over oceans to recover his stolen property and save his village from going hungry.
The show is presented by Smackbang Theatre, directed by Tainui Tukiwaho and written by Matthew Donaldson (021 303 106 smackbang@gmail.com).
Refreshing in its honest simplicity
Review by Brenda Rae Kidd 29th Jun 2012
Written by Matthew Donaldson and directed by Tainui Tukiwaho (Tuhoe-Te Arawa), Ka Hao Te Rangatahi is a modern day fable with an age-old moral. Unity and cooperation will always overcome adversity.
Rima is a young boy who spends his day dreaming of a bigger life but is bound by responsibility to his village. With his magic fishing rod he sets off each day to catch fish.
Whilst Rima sleeps however, a jealous neighbour steals his magic rod. Through forest and ocean he must travel to recover the fishing rod and stop his village from starving.
Rima is played with spirit and flair by Kayne Peters (Ngati Tuwharetoa). Peters has a great time with this role; he captures the spirit of a young boy torn between duty and play.
Backed by a stellar cast, Te Taiawatea Solomon (Tuhoe – Te Arawa) plays Hara, the jealous neighbour. At only 16 years, this girl has quite some future on stage.
Regan Taylor, (Ngati Kahungunu) plays a number of roles and is hilarious in all. Comedic acting at its best.
What makes this play so special is that it is bilingual and interactive, encouraging the audience to propel the action onstage with their words. Rima only speaks Maori and is assisted by the narrator to communicate with the audience.
The show was created for children from five to eight years, as a way for all children to integrate basic Te Reo into their vocabulary.
Today the audience ranges from one-and-a-half to 11 years old, excluding parents and caregivers. Judging by the squeals and laughter, Ka Hao Te Rangatahi appealed to all.
In this age of multi-distracting advertising, disguised as entertainment for youth, Ka Hao Te Rangatahi is refreshing in its honest simplicity. With a minimalist stage and basic props, it is the good writing and fantastic acting that holds attention.
Very much recommended for all ages.
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