August 16, 2022
Myriad of emotions in Dawn Raids play
A play that drew back the curtain on a shameful and racist era in New Zealand’s modern history when it was first performed 25 years ago has been revived.
Dawn Raids looks at the tactic used by police and immigration officials in the 1970s against mainly Pasifika families to hunt down overstayers.
The raids of homes and street stops also affected some Māori
Cast member Bella Kalolo says playwright Oscar Kightley drew on real-life stories to reveal the fear and anxieties of Pacifica people – but often traumatic stories are told with humour, compassion, music, and bluntness.
“I’d imagine there would be quite a pensive feel to a lot of people and there might be some people that are offended, there are might people who grasp onto the funny moment because maybe the other parts kind of hurt. It’s probably going to bring up a whole myriad of emotions,” she says.
Dawn Raids opens this Thursday at Auckland’s ASB Waterfront Theatre.