Wizard of Otahuhu blows into Q Theatre

The Wizard of Otahuhu blows into Q Theatre in July. Photo / Raymond Sagapolutele

It'll be a school holiday show the likes of which Q Theatre has never seen before when The Wizard of Otahuhu blows into town — almost direct from Mangere — to show how The Wizard of Oz might have been had writer L. Frank Baum lived in South Auckland circa 2018.

Performed earlier this year at the Mangere Arts Centre-Ngā Tohu o Uenuku, it's the fifth production co-directed by Alison Quigan and Troy Tu'ua. Quigan says they want each production to be a step up on the last one and felt there was something extra special about their flamboyant take on The Wizard of Oz.

She says it confirmed this belief when they were asked to take the show — and its 50-strong cast, including a live band — to Q. The cast sat down with Weekend to talk about what audiences can expect to see and why they're thrilled to be reprising the all-singing, all-dancing wickedly funny play.

Three of the four wicked witches in The Wizard of Otahuhu. Photo / Raymond Sagapolutele

Daedae TeKoronga-Waka (Witch of the North): "My favourite moment is the opening scene with the four of us witches because we start things off with a bang and from there on in, the audience are wondering what they're in for. First stop Q then the Civic then an international tour!"

Brady Reeti (Witch of the West): "For me, the buzz comes in the way we can influence the next generation. So many children see the shows and begin to realise that this is something they can do in life, for a career. A lot of kids leave inspired; so do a lot of the adults. A lot of people have said to me, 'watching the show made me want to go back on stage or starting playing music again'."

Petmal Lam (Witch of the East): "I don't think we'll change things too much; maybe we'll switch up some of the choreography but, for me, it's always about giving your best performance."

Aaron Ryan (Koko the dog): "When we first started this, I hadn't seen The Wizard of Oz so I had to go home and watch the movie. I got a bit overwhelmed thinking about how we were going to do it and how I was going to take on the persona of a dog but we all worked together to make it happen. There's definitely a lot more of a Pacific flavour and comedy. I can't wait to take it to Q — I have never performed there before — to see how a new audience reacts."

Luse Sua-Tuipulotu, as Aunty Siapo, in the midst of a sea of Tongan rugby fans as she searches for Dorothy in The Wizard of Otahuhu. Photo / Raymond Sagapolutele

Luse Sua-Tuipulotu (Aunty Siapo): "I get really nervous before a show. I make, like, 100 trips to the bathroom before I go on stage. I don't care who's out there because I give the same performance to every audience — 150 per cent — and the nerves will always be there. For me, I think the funniest moments and lines come when Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow meet the Lion. There's a lot of humour there and it's very well played."

Tekeepa Aria (Witch of the South): "The humour has a very Pacific flavour, but it's about taking ownership and reclaiming some terms. It's unapologetic, it's our humour and we're not looking for approval from anyone. A lot of it is about showing that we know what the stereotypes are and we're using humour to shoot down those stigmas."

Bob Epine Savea (Tin Man): "It's relatable; it's stuff that comes up and it's a chance to have some fun with those stereotypes and an opportunity to address some of the negative connotations but ultimately this is a kids' show and it's fun. I'm always surprised to see how engaged our audiences are and how into going to the theatre they are."

Josephine Mavaega (Scarecrow): "I'd really like to see more opportunities for community shows to go to bigger theatres; more children's shows, more from different parts of Auckland that are relatable to more of our community and for cultures to reach out and make this sort of work. This is one of my first main roles and I've just learnt so much."

Unaloto Funaki (Aunty Sila): "Who would I play if I could choose one of the other characters? The Tin Man because I always get cast in female roles but I'd like a male role. Why do I get cast as women? Maybe I'm just good at it ... What I do find exciting is that we're taking our show to a different audience beyond South Auckland from a community theatre to a main stage and that's a big accomplishment."