September 12, 2016
Waikato River inspires musical
Writer Witi Ihimaera is to write the words for a musical drama telling the story of the Waikato River.
Flowing Water should be finished in early 2018 in time for Hamilton City River celebrations.
A preview scene will be performed on September 30 at Waikato University’s Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts.
Composer Janet Jennings says she is excited to have a writer of such a high caliber to tell the story.
The collaboration also includes Waikato Tainui academic Tom Roa and the university kapa haka Te Waiora o Te Whare Wananga.
Mr Ihimaera says Flowing Water will tell the history of the Waikato River and all the peoples the river has nurtured – Maori, Pakeha and later migrants.
It will open with a set piece involving mythic taniwha awaiting the arrival of the Tainui waka.
When the voyagers first felt the river while out at sea, they remarked on the kato or pull of the river’s strong current.
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