July 17, 2013
Children’s theatre keeps te reo alive
Taki Rua is on the road.
Co-producer Esther Green says the Wellington-based Māori theatre company is taking its latest te reo Maori production to 60 kura from Invercargill to Kaitaia, as well as a community performance on Saturday at the Mangere Arts Centre.
Puha Squadron by writer Chris Molloy tells the story of three fearless kids as they adventure from their sleepy hometown to the city lights of Auckland and finally on to Cape Reinga.
It’s directed by Te Kohe Tuhaka and the cast includes Taupunakohe Tocker, Maria Walker, Rob and Mohi Critchley.
Green says it’s a great kaupapa.
"I think it’s awesome that we can make a piece of theatre that is in te reo Māori. Between 6000 and 11,000 tamariki get to see that work every year. It's a kaupapa I think is really rich, I hope it will keep our reo alive and keep showing kids there are lots of different ways they can utilise the reo, which I think is very important for them to see," she says.
Taki Rua plays at the Mangere Arts Centre on Saturday at 1pm, with entry by koha.
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