Nga Manurere
20/05/10 19:47
Writer: Renae Maihi
Director: Rachel House
Cast: Nicola Kawana, Renae Maihi, Lana Garland, Rhys Castle-Hughes, Sara Henare and William Timothy Davis
Location: TAPAC
Nga Manurere follows Manawa’s (Nicola Kawana) journey to reconnect with the son Morehu (Rhys Castle-Hughes) she gave up through whaNgai. Supported by her three closest friends Wai (Sara Henare), Rina (Lana Garland) and Jess (Renee Maihi) who are all single mothers, the women are tied together by their roots and friendship, but each secretly harbours their own view on Manawa and the son to whom she is a stranger.
At once funny and shocking, the play explores the everyday experience of being a solo mum with honesty and humour. It also reveals a terrible truth that exposes the danger of emotional silence.
This was a good story that was well told.
The main character was clearly a strong and moral woman who had done all that she could to deal with a difficult event in her life.
I liked the way that, like the characters in the story, we were kept in suspense. It wasn’t until the final stages of the play that we found out why Manawa had given her child up for adoption. And, when we do find out, we’re filled with admiration for her decision and the way that she has lived her life.
As part of a child-free couple I was worried that this play about solo mums might not have much relevance for me but I am so pleased that I saw it in spite of my reservations. It would have been a shame to have missed such a gem.
Director: Rachel House
Cast: Nicola Kawana, Renae Maihi, Lana Garland, Rhys Castle-Hughes, Sara Henare and William Timothy Davis
Location: TAPAC
Synopsis (from Eventfinder listing by Bored_Housewife):
Nga Manurere follows Manawa’s (Nicola Kawana) journey to reconnect with the son Morehu (Rhys Castle-Hughes) she gave up through whaNgai. Supported by her three closest friends Wai (Sara Henare), Rina (Lana Garland) and Jess (Renee Maihi) who are all single mothers, the women are tied together by their roots and friendship, but each secretly harbours their own view on Manawa and the son to whom she is a stranger.
At once funny and shocking, the play explores the everyday experience of being a solo mum with honesty and humour. It also reveals a terrible truth that exposes the danger of emotional silence.
Thoughts on this Production:
This was a good story that was well told.
The main character was clearly a strong and moral woman who had done all that she could to deal with a difficult event in her life.
I liked the way that, like the characters in the story, we were kept in suspense. It wasn’t until the final stages of the play that we found out why Manawa had given her child up for adoption. And, when we do find out, we’re filled with admiration for her decision and the way that she has lived her life.
As part of a child-free couple I was worried that this play about solo mums might not have much relevance for me but I am so pleased that I saw it in spite of my reservations. It would have been a shame to have missed such a gem.