A star is born

AROHA FOR THE LAND: Trudz Lelievre (back) and Caleb Collier rehearse a scene for Evolution Theatre’s upcoming production, The Pohutukawa Tree. Picture supplied

I’m a thespian! announces Trudz Lelievre on the phone.

She seems to relish not only the sound of the 6th century Greek word that derives from Thespis, the first person said to ever appear on stage as an actor playing a character, but the fact her role in Evolution Theatre Company’s production of New Zealand classic, The Pohutukawa Tree marks her own first appearance in a play.

As a bodybuilder who has competed before judges and audiences, Lelievre is no stranger to the stage. But taking on the part of Aroha in Bruce Mason’s 1956 play that centres on a proud Maori matriarch’s struggle to cope with New Zealand on the cusp of change is a whole new challenge.

For Lelievre though, the opportunity to play Aroha is as close to a calling as you’ll get. Lelievre believes she brings to the play and the production a fresh perspective.

“It’s something I never saw myself doing,” says the thespian.

“I’ve been on stage before in front of people in their thousands but now I have to bring someone who is a fictional character to life.”

In the play, Aroha Mataira’s iwi has been displaced or moved on but the matriarch is determined never to leave her ancestral home. She struggles to retain her cultural identity, and to keep her family innocent in a rapidly changing world.

When Lelievre saw an online notice for auditions she was intrigued. She was curious about the story and its message about racism, she says.

“I thought ‘I could be the person who would voice that message. I’ve heard a lot of people voice stuff about racism but for me, to bring it out and see it for what it is, I believe I’m that person.”

She initially believed The Pohutukawa Tree was a real-life story, based on real events and real people. Aroha’s character reminded her of her grandmother.

“I saw in Aroha the strength and that’s what the pohutukawa tree means. We hear she is the only one left on the land. For her to work alongside Maori and Pakeha was the objective. I feel honoured to do this part.”

Her grandmother’s strength in bringing up children in a Pakeha world, keeping her strength, her heritage and her religion is what Lelievre draws on to develop the character she plays in The Pohutukawa Tree.

Although written in the 1950s the play has an important, hugely relevant message.

“If you don’t understand what it’s like to be a Maori then see this show and you might understand what it’s like and see how it’s carried on and how intense it has become.”

The Pohutukawa Tree will run at Evolution Theatre Company from November 1-16.