Event Stage

The Beautiful Ones

A multimedia, Pasifika-influenced poetic yet brash play.
Melissa Roberts
November 21, 2016

Overview

Tawata Productions' most recent show was not created for those who like their theatre to stick to the rulebook. If, however, you like your theatre to be a rich combination of onstage dance battles, original urban songs and projected imagery, then Hone Kouka's The Beautiful Ones will tick every box.

This show is constrained by nothing. Set between a nightclub dancefloor and its balcony stage above, The Beautiful Ones is a love story told through the modes of dance, music and multimedia. The cast, a young ensemble of mesmerising voices and fluid movers, make it hard for you to take your eyes off them. Their energy spills from the stage into the audience's table seating, and gives the show an interactive element as they transform patrons into performers.

Songstress Ria Hall may be a bit of a stranger to acting, but she certainly knows how to command a microphone. Her soul-filled singing has a captivating quality that places you in a trance and threatens to never release you. The show's bold soundtrack – courtesy of producer K*Saba and musician Tama Waipara – combined with the work of choreographer Tai Paitai captures the essence of the show's youthful love story. Paitai seamlessly fuses elements of lyrical contemporary, traditional Pacific and hip hop dance and creates stunning silhouettes set against vivid digital imagery.

At times the show feels a bit rough around the edges, but there are some truly endearing moments created by Kouka's writing. The Beautiful Ones is a culturally specific show with a universal theme. It speaks to the fearless ones, the rhythm-loving ones and, of course, the romantic ones amongst us.

Information

When

Wed, Nov 23, 2016 - Sat, Nov 26, 2016

Wed, Nov 23, 2016 - Saturday, November 26, 2016

8:00pm

  • Fri, Nov 18, 2016

    Friday, November 18, 2016

    8:00pm

  • Sat, Nov 19, 2016

    Saturday, November 19, 2016

    8:00pm

  • 11:00pm

  • Tue, Nov 22, 2016

    Tuesday, November 22, 2016

    6:30pm

  • Wed, Nov 23, 2016

    Wednesday, November 23, 2016

    8:00pm

  • Thu, Nov 24, 2016

    Thursday, November 24, 2016

    8:00pm

  • Fri, Nov 25, 2016

    Friday, November 25, 2016

    8:00pm

  • Sat, Nov 26, 2016

    Saturday, November 26, 2016

    8:00pm

Where

Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Drive

Price

$20-42
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