The Monster in the Maze Photo: Supplied / NZ Opera
In the movie Tinā, Anapela Polata’ivao played the role of choir director. Now, in a case of art imitating life, she's directing the chorus in NZ Opera's latest production.
"The Monster in the Maze" is Jonathan Dove's retelling of the Greek myth of the Minotaur, and the regular child sacrifice it demands from the people of Athens until one citizen, Theseus, decides to fight back.
Dove's version, however, is about more than one clever human taking on a beast. In his story, it is community action as well as one hero's bravery that outwits the Minotaur.
All the more appropriate that Dove has chosen to tell the story in the form of a 'community opera', much like fellow English composer Benjamin Britten did in his opera, Noye's Fludde.
Anapela Polata’ivao directs the chorus. This time it's for real. Photo: Jinki Cambronero
Like Noye's Fludde, "The Monster in the Maze" is written for amateur performers (both adults and children) and the job of directing the onstage action has gone to Polata’ivao, best known right now for playing the role of a choir director in the Miki Magasiva movie, Tinā.
Joining her is long-time collaborator Stacey Leilua. The pair have been making theatre together for over twenty years. mostly through the South Auckland-based troupe, Kila Kokonut Krew, which Polata’ivao co-founded with her husband Vela Manusaute.
Stacey Leilua. Photo: Jinki Cambronero
While Polata’ivao looked the part playing a choir director in Tinā, she's not actually a conductor. Her skills, along with acting, are in stage directing.
However, both she and Leilua have had plenty of experience putting on musical theatre through the Kila Kokonut Krew, including taking their show "The Factory" to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
NZ Opera has already performed "The Monster in the Maze" in Christchurch.
The production now heads to Wellington for two shows, before finishing in Auckland.
