Image by Jinki Cambronero

WAIWHAKAATA – REFLECTION IN THE WATER

A return to ancestral origins and legacy. One man’s journey of self rediscovery.

Having lost touch with his Māori heritage, caught up in the rat race of urban humanity and drifting further from his roots, Rehua takes the audience on a journey towards healing and redemption.

A life-altering decision changes the pathway for Rehua, guiding his return to the whenua and waterways of his forbears. Steeped in history and an inherent connection with patupaiarehe, Rehua’s identity resurfaces; learning to integrate his past with his present self.

‘Waiwhakaata-Reflections in the Water’ combines contemporary dance, explosive physical theatre, taonga puoro and kōrero tuku iho to bring us a bold story of hope and reconnection.

Waiwhakaata defines its own territory. It is like witnessing the birth of a new genre.

Creative Credits

Artistic Director & Choreographer: Eddie Elliott

Co-Writers: Niwa Milroy & Cian Parker
Dramaturg: Cian Parker

Composer & Sound Design: Alistair Deverick
Producer: Lance Loughlin
Lighting Designer: Jo Kilgour
Set & Designer: Dan Williams

Taonga Puoro: James Webster

Dancers: Carl Tolentino, Chrissy Kokiri, Sean MacDonald, Brydie Colquhoun, Isope Akau’ola & Keana Ngaata

Actor: Lezharn Avia-Elliott

Dates

07 – 10 June

Weds-Thurs 6.30pm; Fri-Sat 8pm;

Venue

Circa Theatre
Circa One
1 Taranaki Street
Te Aro
Wellington
www.circa.co.nz

Tickets

Adults $45

General Admission $35

Students $15

Audiences 11+
Contains coarse language.

Haze and smoke effects.
Strobe lighting.

Learn More About the Collective

Waiwhakaata Performance is a physical theatre dance company that explores Māori concepts, mythology and kōrero tuku iho (stories from the past).

We create live work that pushes beyond any one form of performing arts practice and tells stories on stage through the power of dance, theatre, Taonga Pūoro and other multi-disciplinary art forms.

The works we produce endorses inclusive connection amongst Indigenous storytelling; predominantly Māori.

 

Originally commissioned and co-produced by Auckland Arts Festival, and premiered online in 2022.