MAHARA
Blyth Performing Arts Centre (Iona College), 42 Lucknow Road, Havelock North
12/10/2016 - 13/10/2016
Production Details
Mahara meaning ‘memory’ is a one-woman performance based on Kristyl Neho’s experience with her grandmother’s journey into Alzheimers.
Transporting us to the heart of Hastings, Kristyl plays 17 different characters to sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreakingly poignant effect. It is a deeply moving and human story which sensitively tackles the issue of Alzheimers and its impact on a family.
Now into its fourth season, Mahara was first developed as a solo piece at Toi Whakaari and was performed as part of The Conchus Season – launched to provide a platform for the mentoring and showcasing of emerging Maori and Pacific talent.
“This hour long one woman solo is the absolute stand out of the evening. As well as being an entertaining and impressive performance this is a story told with warmth, respect and love. Each family member is portrayed with humour, delicacy and understanding.
The story has a depth built on the complexity of family relationships and real empathy toward every character therein. While there is much that is funny the humour is rooted in truth, the tale is poignant and the ending is deeply moving.” – Hannah Smith, Theatreview
The Blyth Performing Arts Centre (Iona College)
Wed Oct 12th:7:30PM
Adult: $39
Concession: $34
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Theatre , Solo ,
Wonderful
Review by Sonia Mackenzie 13th Oct 2016
The stage at the Blyth Centre holds only a basket of washing and a plain form but as soon as Kristyl walks on I am transported into the whanau. This is a magical performance dealing with a very poignant subject that is close to us all. Alzheimer’s Disease has become a problem to many and Kristyl deals with it in a very special way. Sadness is touched with laughter and a window of insight shows how one family manages to find a way through the darkness.
Playing seventeen parts, Kristyl has the skills to change her voice and attitude so the audience have no difficulties knowing who is who.She sings well too and I would have liked to hear a little more if that. The Mormon hymn, sung by all the different family members, is a winner.
Tea towels are folded then later screwed up to illustrate the dwindling mind. Clever lighting when the family were hunting for lost ‘Nan’ catches at the heart and heightens the feeling of trepidation.
It is clear that Kristyl has first-hand knowledge of her subject and the choice of Mahara (memory) for the name of her wonderful production is very apt. The Blyth Performing Arts Centre at Iona College is a beautiful venue and the acoustics are excellent: I hear every word.
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