Theatre

Te Pō: The Mean As Māori Show

An ensemble of highly skilled warriors navigate the formidable realms of unintentional greatness.

Dates 06 - 08 Oct
Time 7:30pm, 2:00pm, 5:00pm (60 minutes)
Venue Bluestone Church Arts Space

$25.00

Sessions & Tickets View Comments

Three adult Māori people stand wearing a mix of contemporary and traditional clothing including blue weaved hats. One is brandishing a wooden patu (a Māori weapon). In front of these three people is a young Māori girl wearing traditional and contemporaaczry clothing. She is holding a pūtorino, the deadliest weapon of them all (Māori flute)

Past Event

Theatre Fringe Fund

Image Credit: Bakri Mahmoud

Created and Directed by: Irihipeti Waretini
Written and Performed by: Te Ara Hononga
Supported by: Maribyrnong City Council

The Māori creation story is the oldest philosophy of Aotearoa and articulates our origin stories. From Te Kore the great nothingness, to Te Pō – the perpetual night, Te Wheiao the stirring and the separation of land and sky, to create Te Ao Mārama, the world of Light.

Te Ara Hononga, a Māori Martial Art school based in Victoria, will showcase their individual and collective journeying through Te Pō. The beautiful darkness from whence we grow. Stirring, wielding and influencing the very teachings of the traditional art form of Mau Rākau. Bringing to the illumination of the stage, the mesmerising magic of Māori culture, storytelling, music, humour, haka and Mau Rākau (Māori weaponry).

“With the very energy, focus and precision it takes us to become warriors, we are giving our tauira an opportunity to meet even more of their greatness, unintentionally and yet very intentionally.” - Irihipeti Waretini, Director/Producer

“Mau Rākau is our Māori genealogical physicalisation of choice; Of the internal challenges we necessarily face head on, to embody our rightful greatness and joy.” - Fallon Te Paa, Poutuakana/Producer

Each of the six shows has been produced as a stand alone production of devised theatre. EVERY show will be different, so you will HAVE to attend more than once! Drawing from the raw experiences of Māori who have settled or were born in Naarm, who are healing the generations of disconnection to culture and homelands through Mau Rākau, the arts, community health and development.

Options of kid-friendly cast (7 & 8 Oct, 2pm). Incredible skill, talent and Māori ingenuity, woven together for a fun-filled weekend for the whole community. Be moved by the magical influence of this chosen family of fighters.

This project received Cash to Create through the Fringe Fund.

About Te Ara Hononga

Established in 2014, Te Ara Hononga is part of the International School of Māori Weaponry: Te Whare Tū Taua ō Aotearoa. With over 4,000 members worldwide, the Melbourne branch is led by Kodie Heremia, Fallon Te Paa and Jeremy Nikora.

Te Ara Hononga is a not-for-profit organisation with 80 active community members who train in taiaha (long range weapon) and patu (short range weapon) as tools of cultural connection and healing through choreography, performance and demonstration.

Choreographed routines of formation and rākau (weaponry) demonstration, originally composed song and haka, conceptual storytelling based on traditional Māori values and humour, Te Ara Hononga's performances are dynamically composed, electrifying and inspire audiences to expand their creativity, identity and connection to culture.

irihipeti.com

Duration: 60 minutes
Event Accessibility: English no barrier
Age suitability: PG
Event warnings: Haze Effects, Mild Coarse Language, Sustained Loud Noises, Some Infrequent/Low Pressure Audience Interaction.
Content warnings: Drug References, Death, Mental Health, Use Of Replica Weapons, COVID-19/Coronavirus, Post-Colonial Trauma.

This is an empowering fundraising opportunity for Te Ara Hononga to continue building our community. Every ticket sale goes directly into supporting teaching initiatives to pass on traditional knowledge to students for the betterment of wellbeing, leadership and community.

Bluestone Church Arts Space
8A Hyde St, Footscray, VIC, 3011

Wheelchair Access

Bluestone Church Arts Space is wheelchair accessible.

Please note the eastern entrance to this venue is not wheelchair accessible, however there is a western entrance that is flat. When bookings, patrons can note their need for level access so that front of house staff are equipped to provide access on the night. Patrons do not need to press a buzzer or call a phone number to get access to the ramp.

The accessible bathroom is next to the Hyde St entrance.

There is a designated wheelchair accessible parking space located outside the entrance to Footscray Town Hall, approximately 40m from the entrance to the venue. Footscray Train Station is located 500m from the Bluestone Church Arts Space, and has ramps and elevators as well as accessible toilets.

Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information

Full: $25.00
Concession: $20.00
Group 4+: $15.00
Extra Applause: $40.00
Blak Tix: $10.00
Child: $10.00

Member discounts available

This event is eligible for 25% off full price Fringe Dweller tickets. Just add the tickets that you want then login at checkout and you'll get the cheapest tickets. If you're not a member yet, simply add a membership to your cart and you'll be able to access Fringe Dweller prices straight away.

Sessions: In Person Events

A single $5.50 transaction fee applies to your booking.

Date	Time	Venue
Friday, 06 October 2023 Sold Out	7:30pm	Bluestone Church Arts Space Sold Out	Past Event
Saturday, 07 October 2023 Sold Out	2:00pm	Bluestone Church Arts Space Sold Out	Past Event
Saturday, 07 October 2023 Cancelled	5:00pm	Bluestone Church Arts Space Cancelled	Cancelled
Saturday, 07 October 2023 Sold Out	7:30pm	Bluestone Church Arts Space Auslan Interpreted Sold Out	Past Event
Sunday, 08 October 2023 Sold Out	2:00pm	Bluestone Church Arts Space Sold Out	Past Event
Sunday, 08 October 2023 Sold Out	5:00pm	Bluestone Church Arts Space Sold Out	Past Event