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  Memoirs of Active Service "Maaka Pepene does everything right in this Year of the Veteran work, which cleverly and dramatically vignettes the world at war and war's human face" 2006 Best New Work by an Emerging Choreographer Memoirs of Active Service is a 75 minute Dance Theatre work based on choreographer Maaka Pepene's grandfather's diary, recorded during his service in WWII, and inspired by the 28th Maori Battalion. A moving and beautiful love story inspired by the keeper of the diary, Memoirs of Active Service is about ordinary New Zealanders being asked to do extraordinary things. We watch the journey of five characters from a rural Maori community, their transformation from pre- war to enlisting, training and then afterwards, but always at the heart is the love and the sacrifices made by New Zealanders during this time. Memoirs of Active Service features songs of the era and an original sound-score composed by Paddy Free, lighting design by Vanda Karolczak, video design by Louise Potiki Bryant and narration by Jarod Rawiri.
Performers include acclaimed dancers Sean MacDonald, Justine Hohaia, Peter Sears, Jack Gray and Kelly Nash. View You Tube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onIqZzuToU4 Podcast link – Radio NZ http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/20090710 Article in The Big Idea Performed in an end-stage environment, Memoirs of Active Service would suit a small to medium theatre – anywhere from 100 – 300 seats. |