I, GEORGE NEPIA

by Hone Kouka
directed by Jason Te Kare
Tawata Productions

[1 hr 15 mins, no interval]

at Circa Two, Wellington
From 7 Sep 2011 to 16 Sep 2011

Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland
From 20 Sep 2011 to 24 Sep 2011

Circa Two - return season, Wellington
From 8 Dec 2011 to 17 Dec 2011

Suter Theatre, Nelson
From 20 Oct 2012 to 22 Oct 2012

Q Theatre Loft, Auckland
From 13 Mar 2013 to 18 Mar 2013

Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland
From 21 Mar 2013 to 22 Mar 2013

Reviewed by: John Smythe; Laurie Atkinson (The Dominion Post); Lynn Freeman (Capital Times); Janet McAllister (New Zealand Herald); Tamati Patuwai; Helen Sims; Gail Tresidder; Nik Smythe;

Welcome to the World Premiere Season of I, George Nepia! Circa Theatre, Wellington, is the home of this very special premiere as Tawata Productions presents the story of one of the world's original sporting superstars.

“When I hear others debating who will play fullback for the Kingdom of Heaven versus the rest I turn to stone. It is not me to question of whether Nepia was the best fullback in history. It is a question of which of the others is fit to lace up his Cotton Oxford boots.” – Denzil Batchelor, English Rugby Journalist

St Helens, Swansea, Wales 1982. The crowd roars as an elderly man dapper in a long coat, walks purposely out on to the field. All stand and cheer as he acknowledges them. Singing rises. He is George Nepia.

I, George Nepia celebrates the life of an East Coast boy who became one of the world's most revered rugby players. A husband, a father, a fullback, a singer, a rebel – an invincible.

This stage play marks the return of internationally acclaimed Maori playwright Hone Kouka MNZM (Waiora, Nga Tangata Toa, The Prophet), accompanied in the lineup by Jason Te Kare (Waiora) making his directorial debut and featuring Jarod Rawiri (The Brothers Size) with a mesmerising solo performance.

Production Design is helmed by Rob Larsen (Apollo 13), with Miriama Ketu-McKenzie (The Lonesome Buckwhips) composing original music, emerging designer Cara Louise (Tu) creating costume and Wellington musician Karnan Saba (The Mourning After) building sound design.

This season is not to be missed!

World Premiere Season:
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
6pm / 2pm / 7th – 16th September
Bookings: www.circa.co.nz / 04 801 7992

Auckland Season:
Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, Auckland
6pm / 20th – 24th September
Bookings: www.qtheatre.co.nz

Wellington return season
Circa Two, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
7pm / 8th – 17th December 2011
Bookings: www.circa.co.nz / 04 801 7992

Nelson Arts Festival 2012
Suter Theatre
20 - 22 October, 7pm

AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL 2013

I, George Nepia

Mahurangi College, Warkworth
Fri 8 Mar, 7.30pm
TICKETS: GA $35 / Friend/Conc/Group $29
BOOK AT: Warkworth Information Centre, 1 Baxter Street
THE EDGE: buytickets.co.nz, 09 357 3355 or 0800 289 842

Loft, Q Theatre
Wed 13 - Fri 15 Mar, 7.30pm; Sat 16 - Sun 17 Mar, 5pm; Mon 18 Mar, 6.30pm
TICKETS: GA $45 / Friend/ Conc/Group $41
BOOK AT: qtheatre.co.nz or 09 309 9771; THE EDGE: buytickets.co.nz; 09 357 3355 or 0800 289 842

Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
Thurs 21 – Fri 22 March, 7pm; Sat 23 March, 1.30pm and 7pm
TICKETS: GA $35 /Friend/Conc/Group $29
BOOK AT: Mangere Arts Centre Box Office, or THE EDGE – buytickets.co.nz, 09 357 3355 or 0800 289 842

Writer Hone Kouka
Dramaturg John Vakidis
Director Jason Te Kare
Actor Jarod Rawiri
(Nelson 2012: Matariki Whatarau

Costume Design Cara Louise
Composer Miriama Ketu-McKenzie
Sound Design Karnan Saba

Production Design Robert Larsen
Projected Still Illustration Thomas Hanover
Processing Programming Ben Jack
Researcher Challen Wilson
Technical Operation Ulli Briese

Photography Matt Grace
Production Stills Aneta Ruth
Archival Stills Cliff Porter Collection

Branding Design Tukara Matthews
Publicity Sally Woodfield, SWPR

Production Manager Ahi Karunaharan
Producer Miria George, Tawata Productions