Town Hall Concert Chamber
Review: Susan Budd
Ahorangi 2000 is a true family show. Written, produced and directed by Chris Winitana, it is co-directed by his partner, Tina Kaipara, who plays a lead role.
Their eldest son takes the lead and several of their children are also in the cast, with members of their extended families.
The plot concerns the efforts of Maui, played by 11-year-old Tupoutahi Winitana, to defeat the attempts of Te Korekore (Chaos) to destroy aroha or love in humanity.
Promoted as a "Broadway-style musical," the show contains songs that blend traditional Maori music with ballads, rock and a little rap. Unlike a Broadway musical, which usually has eight or 10 songs plus reprises, Ahorangi 2000 has 40.
With so many, none stands out in the continuous blur of sound. As all the music is pre-recorded, the songs lack freshness and spontaneity. And at 31/2 hours, the show is too long by far.
Problems with sound and lighting on opening night did not assist in cracking the show along, but neither did slow cues and long gaps between scenes that left the stage empty in dim light.
The strength of the show lies in the extraordinary energy of the performers, who move with terrific skill and verve in traditional Maori dance, rock and break-dancing.
The undoubted star is Te Ori Paki in the role of Te Korekore. A big man with enormous presence and a powerful voice, he is hugely impressive as the personification of evil, whether as a corporate raider or more elemental force.
The Devil always has the best lines and he delivers them with such relish that he becomes the show's most attractive character, pushing the insipidly virtuous into the shade.
There are many stirring dance numbers performed with panache, but also a few that last so long that their significance becomes buried. One extended sequence of strobe lighting could prove nauseating to some.
<i>Performance:</i> Ahorangi 2000
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