Play tackles domestic violence

THOUGHT PROVOKING: Kali Kopane plays three women in the play Not In Our Neighbourhood. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

A powerful production exploring the depths of domestic violence is opening at Centrepoint Theatre.

Not In Our Neighbourhood is an award-winning play, written and directed by Jamie McCaskill.

The play features Maisey Mata, a film-maker who has been invited by Women's Refuge to follow some of their clients.

It is here Maisey encounters three individuals - Sasha, Cat and Teresa - who each have very different backgrounds as to what brought them to the safehouse. The play follows each of the women as they seek to rebuild their lives.

Maisey is played by Kali Kopane, who together with McCaskill, saw the play come to life after spending time with the Hauraki Women's Refuge.

Kopane plays all three women superbly and takes off the mask covering the despair, misguided loyalties and pain of domestic violence.

"I am truly humbled and honoured to be able to share the stories of these women and take them to the stage," she said.

"I believe the work reveals a truthfulness that many people haven't yet encountered or even acknowledged because it's often still seen as a taboo subject - but domestic violence isn't isolated to any particular demographic or class, it exists and needs to be addressed."

Following its debut season, Not In Our Neighbourhood won Outstanding New New Zealand Play, and Kopane took home Actress of the Year at the 2015 Wellington Theatre Awards.

The production has gone from strength to strength in the past two years, and has already toured the South Island and been part of the Auckland Arts Festival.

Not In Our Neighbourhood, June 10-24, Centrepoint Theatre. Tickets $16-$40. Bookings: (06) 354-5740 or centrepoint.co.nz.