Floating Islanders Pasifika Theatre in Aotearoa

by O'Donnell, David; Warrington, Lisa

• ISBN13: 9781988531076
• ISBN10: 1988531071
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2018-02-01
• Publisher: Otago University Press

Summary

This book celebrates 30 years of Pasifika theatre in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Pacific Underground, Pacific Theatre, The Laughing Samoans, The Conch, The Naked Samoans, Kila Kokonut Krew – the distinctive style and themes of Pasifika theatre have been developed by many individuals and theatre companies in New Zealand. Authors Lisa Warrington and David O’Donnell have interviewed over 30 theatre practitioners to tell the story of Pasifika theatre in Aotearoa from 1984 to 2015. This lively book showcases playwrights, directors and performers whose heritage lies in Samoa, Niue, Fiji, Tonga, Tokelau and the Cook Islands.

Author Biography

David O’Donnell is a theatre director and associate professor in theatre at Victoria University of Wellington. He has directed many premieres of New Zealand plays, including Heat by Lynda Chanwai-Earle and West End Girls by Ken Duncum. In 2004 he was voted director of the year in the Chapman Tripp eatre Awards for directing David Edgar’s Albert Speer, and in 2015 he won a Po`okela directing award from the Hawai`i State Theatre Council. Lisa Warrington is a theatre director and associate professor in theatre studies at the University of Otago. She has directed over 125 productions, including 30 for Dunedin’s professional company the Fortune Theatre.