Chance to Ignite cast tell powerful stories but the theatricality overpowers the raw emotion.
Chance to Ignite cast tell powerful stories but the theatricality overpowers the raw emotion.
A blast of youthful energy from Massive Nui Ensemble delivers a clear message about the need for a positive attitude when taking on the challenge of discovering who you are.
Chance to Ignite emerged out of an intensive workshop process in which the seven-member, all-female cast refined and honed materialfrom their everyday experiences. Most of the stories explore emotional conflicts that arise when notions of self-worth run up against the anxieties generated by the judgements of others.
Akinehi Munroe presents a sharp observation on the casual brutality of school kids exchanging insults and movingly expresses the unspoken hurt caused by such encounters.
Celeste de Freido brings a nicely understated humour to her deadpan description of the hazards lurking beneath a simple walk through countryside and the ensemble combines effectively to reinforce her monologue about finding tranquillity amid the chaos of the dance-floor.
Seini Leo'o Olo shows a talent for poetic metaphors as she takes us into the private world of a "wonderful weirdo" who feels like a TV screen when atmospheric conditions cause the picture to disintegrate.
Jes'mine Palaaia gives a tender account of her nana's passing and Ebony Andrew recalls a tempestuous Year 9 romance while offering amusing tips on how to hug a boy you have a crush on.
But the multiple-story format doesn't allow much opportunity to delve into the nitty-gritty of relationship dramas and, at times, the highly crafted theatricality seems to mask the raw emotion hinted at in some of the more personal experiences.
Director Scotty Cotter ensures the mayhem is neatly contained within a tightly structured 60 minutes and it comes as something of a relief when the cast cut loose with a wildly exuberant jujitsu-themed dance sequence.
What: Chance to Ignite Where & When: Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku, tonight - until Saturday, August 5 Reviewer: Paul Simei-Barton
