Photo: Micah Luafutu
Auckland 1963. Three 11-year-old boys meet in family court. Two Māori and one Samoan, they are Wheels, Piwi and a boy called Piano.
Made wards of the state, the boys are taken to Owairaka Boys home. There begins a story into the heart of darkness, abuse and pain but also the remarkable resilience as they seek to survive through the power of friendship, culture, music and the light of the human spirit.
Written by Fa’amoana John Luafutu, himself a survivor of state care in the 60s, and performed by Fa’amoana, his son Matthias and two of his grandsons, A Boy Called Piano is a unique opportunity to hear this story live and direct from those who lived it.
Building on The Conch’s kaupapa of harnessing the power of drama as a force for social change, this work gives a voice to the thousands of Māori and Pacific children made wards of the state.
Internationally acclaimed director Nina Nawalowalo ONZM leads an 8-strong cast for this audio recording made up of three generations of the Luafutu family to tell Fa’amoana John Luafutu’s story.
WARNING - listener discretion advised This drama deals with sexual and physical abuse including child abuse and contains language which may not be suitable for all listeners. Adult supervision is strongly suggested.
Photo: Micah Luafutu
