Regan Taylor is the kaiwhakataki/narrator in Hine Hōia.
Regan Taylor is the kaiwhakataki/narrator in Hine Hōia.
Chamber Music New Zealand presents Hine Hōia, an epic saga of love, greed, and temptation, brought to life through taonga puoro, circus arts, and live music.
Inspired by the age-old tale of good versus evil, righteousness over temptation, Chamber Music New Zealand has recently collaborated with Ōtautahi Christchurch-based writer anddirector Juanita Hepi (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Mutunga, Moriori, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Wai, Ngāpuhi), circus arts expert Danny Lee Syme, and composer Hamish Oliver, to create a new multi-artform work — Hine Hōia.
Chamber Music New Zealand will present Hine Hōia in five centres as part of their flagship touring CMNZ Series from August 3 to 19, which will also include three free performances for local rangatahi in Wellington, Gisborne, and Christchurch.
Set in 1918 Aotearoa, while the country has been ravaged by the New Zealand Wars and the Spanish flu pandemic, Hine Hōia stands at the precipice of a world in tatters, until a chance encounter changes her life forever.
The original score has been written with room for improvisation, allowing the ensemble of Mahina-Ina Kingi-Kaui (taonga puoro), Reuben Derrick (clarinet, saxophone), Hamish Oliver (keyboard, electronics), Seta Timo (bass), and Jono Blackie (drums, percussion) to take an active part in the storytelling.
Member of The Māori Sidesteps and well-known performer Regan Taylor (Ngāti Kahungunu – Te Arawa) takes on the role of kaiwhakataki/narrator, while recent winner of the Emerging Practitioner Award from NASDA, Tōmairangi Paterson-Waaka, holds the title role of Hine Hōia. Completing the cast is circus artist and choreographer Danny Lee Syme as Te Taipō/The Devil.
“In an era of mis and disinformation, this timeless tale of human nature holds a mirror to our own lives,” says creative director Juanita Hepi.
“What are you willing to give up to have the things you want? And what is truly worth having?”
