Spot the Difference

Antony is Samoan.
Benny is Cook Island M?ori.
But no-one can tell the difference.
Two friends decide to write a show highlighting the typical life of any theatre loving Pacific Islander. Countless as the voices may be on this topic, they believe their work could help shed more light and add more brown.    

TAHI TA'I TASI presents Spot the Difference an exploration of identity from the unique perspective of two Hamilton-based theatre practitioners (who also both happen to be Polynesian).

Set during the devising/rehearsal period of the show itself, it is an acceptance and a celebration of the differences between us (as well as reminding audiences that it's the 21st Century, and racism is still kinda sucky). It is confronting and provocative�but also sort-of a musical-comedy.

When we were first asked about devising a show in 2017, we saw it as a great opportunity to talk about our own experiences. And it  has been a journey for us. It was the first time that we made a truly personal work, and neither of us had any idea the resonance it would have with audiences. 

After our first season for the 2017 Hamilton Fringe Festival was hugely successful, we were asked to perform it again in 2018 where it was again a success, receiving high praise. 

In early October, we will be taking our show to Wellington and Tauranga to see how it will work with audiences in other locales. The story has resonated with Waikato audiences; it's time to see if the same is true across Aotearoa.

All donations will go towards costs for the tour such as accomodation, travel, marketing, music licencing, props, costumes and other production costs.

The Unit:

Director:  Cian Gardner
Writers/Performers:  Benny Marama & Antony Aiono
Technical Manager:  Sebastian Byrne
Production Assistant (Wellington):  David Bowers-Mason
Production Assistant (Tauranga):  Hamish Balderston

Performance Dates:

BATS Theatre (Wellington): 9th - 13th October 6:30pm
Baycourt X Space (Tauranga):  27th October 7:30pm