In 2022 I had the privilege to star as Kahu in Tim Bray's production of 'The Whale Rider'. Adapted from Witi Ihimaera's children's book (a simplified version of his original novel), it tells the story of Kahu, the first female descendant of Paikea, as she struggles to prove to her Koro (grandfather) that she is worthy of leading their tribe. The production had a school holiday season at The Pumphouse Theatre, before touring around Auckland.
The production used beautiful Bunraku-style puppets to tell the story, as well as physical theatre, waiata and kapa haka.
"Visualised and physicalised storytelling at it's finest...a supremely delivered production - energetic, moving, and skillfully told." - Broadway World New Zealand
Written by Witi Ihimaera
Adapted for the stage by Tim Bray
Directed by Tim Bray
Puppetry Design by Ben Anderson
Puppetry Direction by Chye-Ling Huang
