A Thousand Hills

Overview

Here is our review of A Thousand Hills.

After surviving the Rwandan genocide of 1994, Francois Byamana tells his story of a life lived in exile in A Thousand Hills, a theatre production opening at the Herald Theatre on 20 October.

It's 1994 and Philippe, a character based loosely on Byamana and played by the man himself, is fleeing the genocide in his homeland, Rwanda.  In a refugee camp he meets Nick, a Red Cross volunteer who becomes his companion. Although Nick has been sent to the refugee camp to help fix the water system, it's really Phillipe who ensures that he survives. And in the refugee camp it's all about survival.

In a performance, which can surely be nothing short of cathartic, Byamana doesn't just play Philippe, he is Philippe.  Almost two decades after arriving in New Zealand as a refugee, Byanama's memories have been written into theatre by Mike Hudson.  The story is based on his friendship with Bob Askew, the very same New Zealand Red Cross volunteer that "Nick" represents, and Byamana's journey through cultural collisions, identity, friendship and freedom, landing him as a refugee in New Zealand.

Between rousing African drum sections and uplifting, infectious singing, the performances are those of people who care very much about the story they tell. Byamana himself is inspiring, acknowledging the heartache of his homeland while choosing to focus his story on the beauty that can be found in the most dire situations.

Under the direction of Margaret-Mary Hollins with set design by John Verryt, Byamana's tale comes to life.  Alongside a fine array of acting talent including Andrew Grainger (The Lovely Bones, That Face) and Michele Hine (Go Girls, The House of Bernarda Alba), Byamana and the production have also received the full backing of the New Zealand Red Cross to create the piece, with support from Auckland City Council and Creative New Zealand.

The work has been in development over the past three years as part of Auckland festival's Watch This Space programme.