In the latest era of heightened racism against Asians around the world, a group of Auckland theatre makers hope a new play will remind audiences of a time when Chinese in New Zealand were heavily persecuted.
Talia Pua's play Pork & Poll Taxes centres on a Chinese family torn apart by the need for a man who's a husband and father to earn money by working in the market gardens of New Gold Mountain - or Aotearoa. When he decides to stay despite the crippling Chinese Poll Tax and mounting racial tensions and insists his wife join him, it creates huge ructions. Lynn Freeman talks to director Talia Pua and cast member Anna Lee.
Photo: John Rata
