Onepū
From Māori dance company Atamira, comes this epic expression of mana wahine – the intrinsic spiritual power of women.
Onepū is inspired by a Kāi Tahu tradition, as told by Teone Taare Tikao about six atua wahine (female deities/ancestors) who have the enormous power of controlling and releasing the winds of the world.
These atua are honoured using waiata, movement, natural soundscapes, light and projection to illuminate their differences, strength, energy, beauty, ease, connectedness and mana. As in Tikao's account, the women are stationed at key points on Pikopiko-i-whiti; the sand bank that encircles the world.
In Onepū, revered choreographer and founding member of Atamira, Louise Potiki Bryant (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe) brings together a talented creative team, including composer, musician and singer Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu), a direct descendent of Teone Tikao.
The original musical score was composed by Paddy Free and Ariana Tikao and combines electronic music with the haunting sounds of taonga pūoro.
Brimming with aroha, talent and passion, this thoughtful empowering piece seamlessly blends mythology and the present and reminds us why Atamira and founding member Potiki Bryant occupy such a vital niche in Aotearoa's performing arts scene.
Be sure to check it out!
Performances
Location
The James Hay Theatre is a sophisticated theatre featuring a proscenium arch and comfortable tiered seating made up of an upper and lower gallery. It has a functional fly rig system making it a flexible venue for productions and presentations that need a quick change of scene for creative impact. It is ideal for live theatre, opera, ballet, seminars and conference plenary sessions. A signatory event is the popular themed dinners held on the theatre stage.
Contact
Christchurch Town Hall
Address: 86 Kilmore St,
Christchurch 8013
All three levels of the Theatre are accessible via an elevator, which is situated inside the main entrance foyer adjacent to bar area.
Bariatric seating options are also available on the Stalls level only and upon request in advance of booking.
The theatre is equipped with a hearing loop system on each level of the auditorium.
Wheelchair seating is available in the Stalls (four seats – in rows S and T, two each side) and Dress Circle(two seats – one either side in row H ).
There are also a further four specially modified ADA seats in the Stalls (two on each aisle of rows I and M), where the arm rest of the seat opens so a person can move easily from their wheelchair.The theatre is equipped with a hearing loop system on each level of the auditorium.
Accessible toilet and washroom facilities are located on each level of the theatre, two in the Stalls foyer area, one in the Dress Circle foyer and two in the Grand Circle foyer.