The witty words of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It have taken a step away from the fusty theatre stages of old, for the fresh imaginative backdrop of Makauri at the heart of Te Tairāwhiti.
Lytton High School is presenting a new and diverse take on the play, and called it Aroha Mai, Aroha Atu.
More than 40 students are involved in the school production, directed by Beatrice Papazoglou. It is on at the War Memorial Theatre tomorrow night, for the public, and the following day for a matinee for invited intermediate school groups.
“The students spent a good part of their time in rehearsals being amazed at how current Shakespeare’s themes and emotions are and that the feelings of love, wonder, anger and hope are still as relevant in 2023 as they were back then,” Papazoglou says.
Aroha Mai, Aroha Atu is filled with poetry, song, music, dance — and even a taniwha attack. This version of a world famous, widely loved classic is a world premiere. The much anticipated play has been waiting patiently in the wings since 2021 through disruptions such as Covid, floodings, cyclones and teacher strikes.
