Lead role at 11 for Tupoutahi

By VANESSA BIDOIS

WAIHI - When New Zealand's first Broadway-style Maori musical, Ahorangi Genesis, went on tour in 1993, a youngster called Tupoutahi Winitana made his stage debut.

Seven years later, the fresh-faced Waihi boy - now aged 11 - has the lead male role in a new $750,000 stage show, Ahorangi 2000.

Tupoutahi plays the good guy, Maui, in the three-hour musical, which opens a nationwide tour on May 18, followed by performances in Australia and Hawaii.

The production is a family affair. Tupoutahi's father, Chris Winitana, wrote the show, composed the songs and lyrics, and is directing and producing it.

His partner, Tina Kaipara, is co-director and manager, and plays a lead female role. Several of their six children are in the 25-strong cast.

A sister of Mr Winitana, Annette Hahipene, and her husband, Hokimoana, are the promoters, while Ms Kaipara's sister Moana plays the main female role.

A nephew of Mr Winitana, Te Ori Paki, aged 21, is the baddie, Te Korekore, and another nephew and Te Ori's brother, Atirau, 18, is in the chorus line.

Other cast members come from Rotorua, Hamilton, Kawhia and Wellington.

Rehearsals are in full swing at Mr Winitana's picturesque home marae in Waihi, at the southern tip of Lake Taupo, north-west of Turangi.

He said the aim was to again produce a world-class production that could stand alongside such greats as Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar.

"What makes this more special, however, is that we aim to do that from little old Turangi in the middle of the North Island with people who have not come out of the recognised drama or dance schools. This is the real challenge."

Backed by Te Waka Toi, the Maori arm of the arts funding agency Creative New Zealand, the musical includes numerous orchestral songs.

The story is based on Maori entity Te Korekore (Chaos), who was banished to the netherworld at the beginning of time after trying to keep apart the primal parents, Ranginui and Papatuanuku.

He returns in the form of a man in the year 2000 seeking revenge for his exile and determined to eradicate love.

"The show runs at many levels," Mr Winitana said. "There's drama, dance, haka and weapons, and there's singing and soloists, chorus and choir.

"Sometimes it's up close and personal. At others it's in your face. You'll probably get tired from just watching."

Tupoutahi confidently dispels any question of nerves when he takes to the stage for the first show in Auckland.

"It feels great," he said.

His father admitted he might be biased, but praised his eldest son for his perfect sense of timing.

"He was born and bred with dancing shoes on, and a taiaha in his hand."