.co.nz

“We need more theatre like this. We need to acknowledge the pain and we need to share the joy. This play wasn't just the healing my Māori side needed, but the unresolved, untethered Pakeha side of me needed it too. Matariki is a time for reflection, and this play fulfills that task in both looking back, and holding up a mirror.” - Review, Claire Ahuriri-Dunning

CONCEPT

Playwright Mark Wilson’s new play, .co.nz explores and dissects cultural belonging / dislocation / technology / assimilation and internalised discrimination through the lens of Matariki.

Hyper-relevant to the struggles of many, the self-described “absurdist exploration” of Māori culture and spirituality has already made a significant impact on a diverse audience after its mind-blowingly successful premiere during Matariki 2022.

Audiences revelled in the novelty of coming out mid-winter, wrapped up warm to be immersed in a spellbinding show set under stars. Everyone was invited to enjoy a free, delicious kai after the show shared with our company.

SYNOPSIS

As the stars of Matariki rise in the night sky, three friends contemplate their stagnation, relationship, and their place within their culture. As they explore the core concepts of Matariki, technology and assimilation threaten to perpetuate a cycle of generational and institutionalised violence further distancing them from their traditions and their whakapapa.

Can their wairua survive the constant attack against Te Ao Māori in the online sociosphere whilst also managing to reconcile past misconceptions against their culture? Or will globalisation and elitism within their culture push them further away?

The play’s themes of reflection, meditation, mourning, acceptance, and most importantly – the celebration – will endeavor to strengthen the Wairuatanga of not only the characters in the play, but audience members too.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US!

To ensure we reached a wide audience, and to ensure we could include the entire community, this event was FREE to attend in 2022. We want theatre to be as accessible as possible to all people, and do not want to limit the theatre going experience to only those who can afford it. We endeavor to do the same for 2023. However, this time around there will also be an optional koha when booking tickets.

We have a high level of respect for artists and their skills, and we want to show our gratitude by paying them. We hope to raise as much funds as possible so that we can achieve this. We are also applying for various funding, but securing funding is never guaranteed, which is why it is vital we reach our Boosted Campaign target to cover costs.

Reaching our Boosted goal and securing funding will mean we can pay our creative team more.

COSTS

Our Boosted Campaign will help cover the bare minimum of costs we have, including:

Venue Hire: $2,325

Rehearsal Space Hire: TBC

Lighting Hire: approx. $1,500

Marketing: approx. $500

Costume: approx. $200

Props/Set: approx. $200

Manaakitanga (providing free kai to our audience): approx. $400

APRA: approx. $200

Boosted: 10% of our funds raised go to the amazing team at Boosted

THE TEAM

Mark Wilson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa): Producer, Playwright, Actor

Āria Harrison-Sparke (Ngāti Raukawa): Actor

Jordan Henare (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei): Actor

Meg Andrews: Producer, Director, Marketing

Lauren Wilson: Production Assist, Manaakitanga Coordinator

Julia Rutherford: Lighting Design & Operator

Matthew Diesch: Photographer, Intimacy Advisor

We are immensely grateful for any donation, small or large. We also hope you may be able to join us to watch this special play performed during Matariki, July 2023 at The PumpHouse Amphitheatre in Takapuna.

Whakawhetai koe,

Chocolate & Carnage Theatre x

A love note to our ancestors.

An honest word to our community.

A promise to our future people.

Te Korekore. Te Whaiao. Te Ao Mārama.

Past. Present. Future.

There are no neatly bound beginnings, middles, and ends to our stories. They are woven in complexities which are in never-ending jagged, imperfect circles.

.co.nz was born out of an urge to connect with culture, ancestors, and community. It was fuelled by the rage felt from the online world, where people have no barriers to say what they want.

This show is for Aotearoa and all its people.