After the movie, it's Whale Rider the musical

By RUSSELL BAILLIE entertainment editor

It became an international film phenomenon, now Whale Rider could repeat the feat on stage.

A musical version of Witi Ihimaera's story is in production and will have its world premiere at Auckland's Civic Theatre on August 21.

The cast, which includes 30 performers, some with links to the movie, is being announced on Monday.

A spokesperson for the production said the lead character of Pai - played by the Oscar-nominated Keisha Castle-Hughes in the film - was likely to be confirmed nearer the end of the month.

The show is an adaptation of Ihimaera's original book in a style akin to the stage version of The Lion King with the emphasis on "the oneness of man and nature".

Ihimaera has worked on the script for the production and the stage rights to his book were purchased by a New Zealand company following the film's runaway success. The music will include some songs by Maori songwriter Hinewehi Mohi. A stage set by designer Robert Gillies is being built in the former Team New Zealand shed at Viaduct Harbour.