The Tamatane Project
Written in 2002 for 'Arts Online'
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In 2001 Kerry Lynch the H.O.D. of Drama at Otahuhu College and 12 of his senior pupils presented an original production titled Tamatane in China. Otahuhu College is the largest decile 1 school in New Zealand. This article documents their remarkable story and it offers some insights into the Devising process of a bi-cultutral/multi-cultural production.
AN UNFORGETTABLE PHONE CALL
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In November of the year 2000, I received a phone call from Steve Bradshaw who had been recently appointed as an Arts Officer for the Auckland City Council. Steve asked whether my students and I would be interested in doing some performance work for the council in 2001. I immediately said yes to Steves proposal and explained to him that we had just taken a show over to the North Shore and that we were keen to do more of the same .In response to this Steve said "Great , your first gig will be in May, it will be in China! and all expenses will be paid".
This somewhat surreal conversation marked the beginning of what I have called the Tamatane Project. This project had a research/conceptual period in January and February, a rehearsal period between March and the middle of May and a tour of China from May the 16-23rd. Following our performances in China, Tamatane was performed on 13 other occasions to audiences in greater Auckland.