June 02, 2022
Final run for Front Yard Festival
Māori theatre company Rehia Theatre has teamed up with circus performers The Dust Palace for a short return season its Front Yard Festival.
The festival was developed two years ago as a response to the Covid lockdowns.
Director Tainui Tukiwaho says the season is being funded by Auckland Council, which means they’ve been able to put together two teams to perform 15-minute music, circus and storytelling shows at rest homes, schools and private whare around the city.
“Three actors, three performers will drive up to yoru house, jump out on the grass or the footpath or anywhere you tell them to. You don’t have to leave your house if you’re worried about Covid, you can watch from your window. They bring a speaker along so you can stay at a safe distance at all times. The whole thing is designed for whanau members to feel safe and so that our performers don’t need to physically interact or break that two-metre distance so we can make sure everyone is healthy while being happy,” he says.
Tukiwaho says the Front Yard Festival has been a transformative experience for the performers, as they have been able to reach some of the most vulnerable in society,
There could still be some slots before the festival ends on June 16, with bookings through taidelwave@gmail.com or call 021 773 802.