Not in our Neighbourhood, written and directed by Jamie McCaskill Starring Kali Kopae Presented in association with Tikapa Productions. Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North to June 24 Reviewed by Mary Bryan
McCaskill wrote the play while working at the Whariki Manawahine o Hauraki Women's Refuge to highlight the violence some women are subjected to, Maorior European. The word 'starring' for Kali Kopae's performance is not used loosely. Her every movement and script delivery in the portrayal of the play's five different characters are compelling theatre.
The performance gives an understanding of how both well-educated and uneducated women can become trapped by domestic violence. The opening scene has Kopae, with split-second timing, playing the dual roles of the refuge's manager Moira, and filmmaker, Maisy, invited by the refuge to make a documentary on two of the women staying in its Safe House.
Kopae then is Sasha, who in her early 20s has five children, the first at 15. She is aggressive and angry CYPS won't let her see the children - she seems almost impossible to help.
Then Kopae is Cat, a quiet woman in her 50s who has been sexually assaulted by a family member. She is followed by Teresa, wife of a wealthy, prominent member of the community. Teresa has endured about 30 years of abuse, never said anything, but finally it has become too much. She does not think her children know, but is not certain.
The explosive anger of her husband (played by an unnamed actor) bursts on to the stage in the final moments of the play.
As the play unfolded I remembered how being brought up in a home where women were treated with respect I believed that was the norm, and the shock I felt leaving home to find that was not the case for many of my friends.
This is a play for a wide age group. Domestic violence affects all socio-economic groups and races.
