The O le Pepelo Lunch Special

Overview

Contemporary Samoan restaurant Tala and Auckland Theatre Company have joined forces to create the ultimate theatre and dining experience. During the theatre company's run of O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala'ai — The Liar, the Thief and The Coward at ASB Waterfront Theatre from Wednesday, March 5–Saturday, March 23, Tala will be serving up a lunch experience that highlights not only what the restaurant has to offer but Samoan cuisine and culture in general.

The O le Pepelo Lunch Special will be running every Friday and Saturday during the production's run, starting on Friday, March 8 and running through to Saturday, March 30. Ticket holders will be greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, followed by a traditional Samoan lunch with a modern twist.

Tala's founder and Head Chef Henry Onesmo has kept the lunch menu under wraps, but guests can expect dishes such as raw ramen — inspired by Onesmo's childhood when he ate raw noodles as a treat — and other items inspired by the story of O le Pepelo.

O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala'ai — The Liar, the Thief and The Coward is the story of an internal conflict raging inside the play's main character Pili Sā Tauilevā, a chief of his village who struggles to come to terms with the idea of modern Samoa and letting go of the traditions that he knows. His values are put to the test when he falls ill and has to choose a successor, pitting his son and daughter against each other. The story is told in both Samoan and English, with translations for non-Samoan speakers.