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An uplifting and very funny war story may sound like an oxymoron but Taki Rua Production's Strange Resting Places is just that.
Written by Paolo Rotondo and Rob Mokaraka, after four years of research, Strange Resting Places is a WWII play that shows humanity at its best and worst in a series of very personal stories about the Maori Battalion in Italy. Drawing on their own Maori and Italian family histories, this talented pair has created a spellbinding little gem of a show that will have you laughing a lot and crying just a little.
Strange Resting Places highlights how wartime saw Maori and Italian connect over food, song and family not to mention cunning, thievery, wine and women. Not your average war story, in film terms it is more akin to Like Water for Chocolate than Chariots of Fire.
The first play in the Auditorium at Auckland Museum, Strange Resting Places makes the most of the tiny handkerchief of a stage and the tiered seating with the action spilling out into the entire theatre.
Although scripted, the charm of the actors and their ability to interact with the audience gives the show a very alive and almost improved feel. With a simple set of a tarpaulin floor and wartime props such as woolen blankets, a stretcher, flight goggles and dirt it almost feels like we are eavesdropping on a show that Maori Battalion putting on to entertain themselves.
The action starts right from when the audience enter the auditorium. We are greeted by Paolo Rotondo in full flight who is bemoaning the shortage of food during the war and talking about the exploits of his big Maori friends. Played by Rob Mokaraka and Maaka Pohatu they are also already on the stage serenading the audience with songs from the era.
From this warm and welcoming opening the charismatic trio act out a series of interconnected stories about Maori Battalion soldiers and their interaction with Italian partisans and fascists. We meet two cussies soliders out stealing food, an Italian deserter who is looking for his family, a Maori Chaplin more interested in food than war, Catholic priests more interested in religious icons than people and an Italian family who billet a young Maori solider.
All three actors play multiple parts (human and animals) and this play gives them a great opportunity to demonstrate not only acting but physical comedy and singing skills.
Paolo Rotondo was impressive for his ability to play both men and women and for the way he made all the emotions of the piece ring true. Rob Mokaraka creates and instant connection with the audience and again is good at balancing the light and shade in the piece. Maaka Pohatu has a lovely singing voice and great comic timing proving all cast members are equally strong.
It is a cliché to say that the actors had the audience eating out of their hands but in this case it is metaphorically and literally true with some audience members enjoying pastries, coffee and wine at the beginning and end of the play.
There was only a short section in the last quarter of the play were the pace slowed a little too much but otherwise this hour and 15 minute piece is a perfectly formed night out.
A while ago a beer advertisement trumpeted its international success with the line "They are drinking our beer here." Strange Resting Places is intimate theatre at its best that would be warmly received in a piazza, a marae and anywhere in between. It would be great if it did become a cultural export because then we could boast that they were watching our theatre there.
