KA MUA KA MURI
Q Theatre, Rangatira, Auckland
25/07/2024 - 27/07/2024
Clarence Street Theatre, Hamilton
29/07/2024 - 29/07/2024
Production Details
Choreogrpahers: Bianca Hyslop and Eddie Elliott
Atamira Dance Company
Atamira Dance Company encompasses and uplifts the voices of acclaimed choreographers and long-time collaborators, Bianca Hyslop and Eddie Elliott in this unique and powerful double bill KA MUA KA MURI.
Derived from and inspired by, the whakataukī ‘kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua’, KA MUA KA MURI relates to Māori perspectives of time where the past, present and the future are intertwined, offering a contemporary dance experience that explores both the significance of whakapapa while defining new aspirations for the future.
Remain by Eddie Elliott (Ngāti Maniapoto) explores the continuity and vitality of whakapapa, tikanga, and a deep connection to Tūpuna, emphasizing the importance of preserving these cultural foundations to honor the past, understand the present, and shape a promising future for rangatahi.
Whakamaheahea by Bianca Hyslop (Te Arawa) showcases urban Māori experiences by transcending loss-based narratives, embracing multifaceted identities that encompass divine, ancestral, and human elements, and weaving stories of empowerment, transformation, and resilience to inspire a brighter collective future.
By intertwining these perspectives, this collaboration offers a holistic view of the continuum of cultural identity. Hyslop’s focus on the future provides a lens through which to envision how the values, customs, and knowledge preserved in Elliott’s work will be carried forward and adapted by future generations. Similarly, Elliott’s exploration of the past grounds Hyslop’s forward-looking perspective, highlighting the deep roots and enduring relevance of te ira tangata.
Bound together by a stellar design team, a cast of dynamic Māori dance artists and the high-quality production values that Atamira is known for, this double bill, full of energy and heart, invites audiences to experience a transformative performance where tradition collides with innovation, and past, present, and future converge on stage.
Venue: Q Theatre
Dates: 25 – 27 July
Times: 7.30PM
Booking
Collaborative Dance Artists – Abbie Rogers, Caleb Heke, Madi Tumataroa, Oli Mathiesen, Tai Taranui Hemana, Toalei Roycroft
Set and Costume Design – Rona Ngahuia Osborne
Lighting Design – Owen McCarthy
Projection Design – Remain – Owen McCarthy
Projection Design – Whakamaheahea – Dan Mace
Maori contemporary dance , Dance ,
70 minutes
Culturally profound and visually captivating
Review by Cilla Brown 27th Jul 2024
Atamira’s production of KA MUA KA MURI presents a high-energy, emotionally resonant exploration of Mātauranga Māori (Māori worldview), effectively blending cultural storytelling with dynamic choreography.
The performance opens with Eddie Elliot’s Remain, where the dancers’ entrance initially evokes the energy of a climactic finale, imbued with a touch of humor. Toalei Roycroft’s comedic presence seamlessly integrates into the choreography, her attire reflecting her malu, a symbol of Samoan ancestral lineage. The dance movements are strikingly vigorous and precise—jolting and firm, yet executed with an elegant grace. Themes of ancestry, whakapapa, and various reflective questions are woven masterfully throughout the piece, all connected through movement, facial expression and sound. Elliot adeptly employs the spatial elements, projection and the dancers’ physicality to craft narratives that traverse temporal dimensions. Remain offers both warmth and humor, serving as a poignant reflection on historical contexts but looking forward into the future.
Bianca Hislop’s Whakamaheahea opens with a projection and sound of a ticking clock, symbolizing the passage of time. Silvery strings are lowered to form a central line on the stage, which the dancers manipulate, causing the strings to shimmer with their movements and sporadically appear to look like textbook DNA shapes. The red netted adornments worn by the performers hint at deeper narratives. Each dancer delivers a soliloquy paired with dynamic movements that showcase their individual strengths in movement. Themes of identity, relationships with oneself, modernity, whanau and hope towards an equitable future are highlighted. Caleb Heke stands out in this section with movements that flow seamlessly, reminiscent of the natural ebb and flow of ocean waves. This is followed by a fluid ensemble section that showcases the collective brilliance of the cast, culminating in a spectacular display.
Owen McCarthy’s brilliant white backlighting, complemented by subtle silvery projections, effectively delineates spatial elements and underscores the emotive written dialogue. These visual elements enhance the Mātauranga Māori throughout. Similarly the voiceovers in both Remain and Whakamaheahea further engage the audience, offering valuable context and enriching the personal resonance of the performance.
Congratulations to Atamira, Eddie Elliot, Bianca Hislop, and the talented cast members Abbie Rogers, Caleb Heke, Toalei Roycroft, Madi Tumataroa, Oli Mathiesen, and Tai Taranui Hemana for delivering a performance that is both culturally profound and visually captivating.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
Comments