ONO
TAHI New Zealand Festival of Solo Performance
Co-directed by Nicola Hyland (Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārangi and Ngāti Hauiti) & Sally Richards
A brand new polylogue by six Māori and Pasifika playwrights.
ONO is a collection of six new monologues by Māori and Pasifika writers especially commissioned for TAHI New Zealand Festival of Solo Performance 2023. Six unique voices from Aotearoa.
These six stories weave together concepts of aroha/alofa, in a myriad of ways: as both tūingoa (noun) and tūmahi (verb). From learning to love our tīnana, to the mysteries of sisters; from lost and loveless fathers to a whānau bound by struggle; from a cautionary tale of inherited power to the love stories which thread through a whakapapa – ONO will take you to the heart of humanity itself. Starring Erina Daniels, Robert Ringiao-Lloyd and Kaisa Fa’atui.
ONO follows the success of TAHI’s collection of monologues Batch, Whānau and Joy.
“Not only have this group of artists created a thoughtful and thought provoking meditation on the theme of joy, but they have also created a joyful production that engages and enlightens while it entertains.”
— Regional News (Joy, 2022)
“a profoundly insightful and engaging sextet of memorable encounters.”
— Theatreview (Joy, 2022)
7–16 Sep
Circa Two
Tues – Sat 7.30pm, Sun 4.30pm
$30 – $35
Runtime: 90mins, no interval
Audience Care: Mentions of domestic violence and death. Might not be suitable for younger viewers.
Cast:
Kaisa Fa’atui
Kaisa Fa’atui (Fa’atoia, Vaiala, Gautavai, Vaito’omuli Palauli, Vaovai Falealili – Samoa) is an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, based in Ueligitone, Niu Sila. A huge believer in the power of storytelling, Kaisa upholds the unequivocal right that stories made by our peoples are ones that should no longer be overlooked or misconstrued in the hands of the wrong people, but owned by the children of the pacific and celebrated as a part of Aotearoa’s rapidly growing arts industry. In his pursuit of storytelling autonomy in the pacific arts scene, he has graduated from Toi Whakaari from the acting course in 2020 and is currently undertaking a Masters of Fine Arts (Theatre) at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington.
Erina Daniels
Erina Daniels (Ngati Wai) is an actor, collaborator, director, and dramaturg. Born in Mosgiel, Erina began her performance career in Dunedin at the College of Performing Arts, going on to work with local TV and theatre companies. After years of acting, she embarked on further study at Toi Whakaari, graduating in 2003 with a BA in acting, followed by an MA in Directing. Daniels has a rich history in the development of Māori theatre. Her 2022 production of Wednesday to Come was led for the first time by Māori creatives, ensuring that the story is told from the perspective of a mixed Māori Pākehā whānau. She is currently Senior Tutor in Acting at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School
Robert Ringiao-Lloyd
Robert is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (Bachelor of Performing Arts, Acting). His previous theatre credits include Paua; Stand up Love; King and Country; Sunset Road; The Prospect, in which he won a Chapman Tripp theatre award, and Skin Tight, which was performed in Germany and Belgium. Robert’s television credits include Insiders Guide to Love; Sensing Murder and War News. His film credits include For Good; Avatar and numerous short films. His most recent work includes A Boy Called Piano by The Conch Theatre.
Image by Dianna Thomson
