Waitangi

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Event Waitangi
Venue Old Town Hall, Wellington, New Zealand
Umbrella Event NZ International Festival of the Arts (Wellington)
First Date 4 March 1986
Last Date 10 March 1986
Dates Estimated No
Status Pro-Am
World Premiere No
Description Waitangi the play is a 're-creation' of Colenso's contemporary account of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 5-6 February 1840. It is a significant event: Unusual in its scale, in its genuine biculturalism, in its reflection, on stage, of New Zealanders' need to confront their history. Co-directors Campion and Selwyn boldly present the play on an epic scale, uncompromisingly a literal reenactment, using 180 actors… Waitangi was clearly a very special experience for the participants, an encounter between Maori and Pakeha actors, and between both and their past… But the rigid adherence to Colenso's account meant that Waitangi missed what, for me, are the most significant things about the signing.
Primary Genre Theatre - Spoken Word
Secondary Genre Documentary Drama
Subjects Bicultural
History
Māori
Organisations
Contributors
Name Function Notes
Tim Bartlett Actor Chamberlain
Jon Brazier Actor James Busby
John Davis Actor Mr Baker
Pierre Decraen Actor Bishop Pompalier
Peter Dennett Actor Jack Jones
Raymond Edkins Actor Lord Normanby
Michael Haigh Actor Johnny Johnson
Tamaki Harawira Actor Pumuka
Hone Heke Actor Hone Heke
Ray Henwood Actor William Colenso
Clem Huriwaka Actor Patuone
Peter Kaa Actor Waikare
William Kircher Actor Lieut. Shortland
John McCorkindale Actor Kawiti
Paora McGregor Actor Matiu
Mark Metekingi Actor Tamati Waka Nene
Amster Reedy Actor TeKemara
Dave Reihana Actor Warerahi
Chas Rihari Actor Wai/Te Heu Heu
Peter Shearer Actor Mr King
Morehu Solomon Actor Rawiri
Bruce Stewart Actor Tareha
Grant Tilly Actor Henry Williams
Peter Vere-Jones Actor William Hobson
Rota Waipara Actor Moka
Tom Ward Actor Tamati Pukututu
Bob Wiki Actor Rewa
Richard Campion Director
Don Selwyn Director
Nigel Petrie Lighting Designer
Richard Campion Playwright
Selwyn Muru Set Designer
Text Nationality New Zealand
Production Nationality New Zealand
Further Information 150 minute performance.
Event Status Completed
Data Set Theatre Aotearoa
Event Identifier 185735