The Bone Feeder
How far would you go to find your family?
In 1902 the coffins of 499 Chinese immigrants from Otago and Wellington were being repatriated to their home towns in China when their ship, the SS Ventnor, tragically sank near the Hokianga Harbour. The Bone Feeder follows the trials of a young man called Ben who seeks to find the lost bones of his great-great grandfather and to bring them home, and of Kwan, a man who emigrates to NZ in the 1800s and has to decide where he belongs.
Exploring one of the first times of contact between Maori and Chinese the play is a fictional exploration of what is for many Chinese New Zealanders a very real and significant piece of their history. Written by playwright and poet Renee Liang and directed by Lauren Jackson the play uses poetry, music, drama and comedy and features a multicultural cast who perform together with musicians playing traditional Chinese and Maori instruments. The Bone Feeder is a New Zealand play with a difference, a contemporary Western theatre piece which draws on the traditions of Asian storytelling.
Tapac Performing Arts Centre 100 Motions Road,Western Springs
Season dates: 10-20 November 2011 (Preview 9 Nov)
Times: Tuesday – Saturday @ 7.30pm
Saturday 12 November matinee @ 12pm
No performance Monday 14 November
Tuesday 15 November matinee @ 12pm
Cost: Tickets $15-$30, concessions for seniors, students, children and groups
75 mins. Parental guidance recommended for children under 10. In English with phrases in Cantonese and Maori.
Bookings phone (09) 8450295 from 10am – 5pm or online at http://tapac.org.nz/
Member Profile
Kristina Hard, Little Miss PublicistHi I'm Kristina, I work in creative arts publicity specialising in performing and visual arts.
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Comments
"This is a universal cultural story and the underlying messages will not be lost on anyone. It is well worth the watch! "-Theatreview
http://www.theatreview.org.nz/reviews/review.php?id=4344
NZ Herald gives The Bone Feeder a superb review...
'The story unfolds through a clever, multi-layered structure that swings back and forward in time and encompasses the voices of both the living and the dead.'
'The multiple voices are neatly complemented by a rich variety of story-telling techniques and director Lauren Jackson does a superb job in seamlessly bringing together puppetry, dance, song, martial arts, shadow screens and aerial acrobatics.'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10765418&ref=rss
'The play gives a lot to feed on for its audiences. Starting with the historical event, the play delves into the fascinating issues of belonging and the immigrant experience and is a potent theatrical coming together of Kiwi, Maori and Chinese cultures.' http://www.theatrescenes.co.nz/review-the-bone-feeder/#more-994