Ten Token Tales

From Voices 19 May 2014

Maori versus Chinese, Chinese versus Samoan, youth suicide, parental expectations and dairies run by Indians; just some of the diverse topics in a high energy theatre production with its very provocative title on a major tour to secondary schools across the country. Ensembleimpact Theatre have created Asian Invasion – Ten Token Tales by ten New Zealand playwrights. The performance doesn’t pull punches or punch-lines when it comes to breaking down negative stereotype about our Asian communities. Lynda heads to Saint Patricks College in Upper Hutt to hear what the students think and to meet the four dynamos bringing the: Benjamin Teh, Nikita Tu Bryant, Mayan Mehta and Chye-Ling Huang.

Asian Invasion at Saint Patrick's College, Silverstream, Wellington

Warm up for the team of four - Mayan Mehta, Benjamin Teh, Nikita Tu-Bryant and Chye-Ling Huang

Mayan Mehta in the Taro King by Vela Manusaute

Audience reaction - the students loved these characters in Taro King

Benjamin Teh, Mayan Mehta and Chye-Ling Huang in First Asian All Black by Renee Liang

Drama teacher Susan Hayworth with senior drama students, year 12

Chye-Ling Huang in Krishnans Dairy by Jacob Rajan

Mayan Mehta and Chye-Ling Huang in Krishnans Dairy

Nikita Tu-Bryant in Two Fish n' a Scoop by Carl Nixon

Robot Versus Ninja by Benjamin Teh

Yellow Brides by Vincent O'Sullivan

Students show their appreciation

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.