My Mother Dreaming at the Herald Theatre

It is comforting that there is a slither of hope at the end of My Mother Dreaming, otherwise it would make for a fairly bleak night out.

Written and directed by Dianna Fuemana, My Mother Dreaming tells the story of a dysfunctional but ultimately loving family. With fatherless Sam, solo mum Lisa and irresponsible matriarch May (who was also a teen mum), they are the type of family that would have National Party members frothing at the mouth.

While representing three different generations, Lisa, May and Sam share a sense of displacement in their community. They seem isolated from those around them as they work out what it means to be Niuean New Zealanders. Lisa especially struggles with her self-image as she deals with her bipolar disease and an enraged sense of injustice.

On top of this there is a fair bit of drinking, some sexual abuse, a dash of religious confusion and one big nasty skeleton in the closet yet to come out. If this sounds like theatre to slit your wrists to, remember there is a happy ending of sorts with Sam providing some hope for the future.

Fuemana has a nice ear for dialogue and an eye for the humour to be mined by highlighting contradictions in New Zealand society. My Mother Dreaming has some interesting and emotional moments but does feel like it is too much in the grip of the crusading Lisa.

It also seems somewhat contrary that a play blasting the media for portraying Pacific Island families as victims of violence, drug and alcohol abuse is essentially about a Pacific Island family dealing with the after-effects of violence. It may smash down some stereotypes but it starts by reinforcing them.

The three actors in My Mother Dreaming work their butts off to recreate some of the most intense emotions a family can cope with.

In a small theatre like the Herald there is nowhere to hide and Susana Lei'ataua, Stacey Leilua and Michael Koloi give emotional and affecting performances.

Lei'ataua gives May some soft edges and highlights the good intentions behind her misdirected actions. She also provides laughs with her character's wide-eyed hypocrisy.

Leilua is always believable as a person struggling with a mental illness and maintains Lisa's dignity while showing her better qualities as an excellent mother to Sam. Koloi is a real find as the young Sam, nailing his character with a rounded and mature performance.

Tracey Tawhiao's set design is an elegant representation of an urban home. It was such a beautifully furnished home I couldn't help wonder how shoe store assistant, solo mum Lisa could afford it.