By Manunui Rainey
By chance, the night before I saw the show I ran into the director, Nathaniel Lees. We briefly talked about the work, and while watching the show I remembered a question he had asked himself; how do you create a show about someone whose story is still going and is on the stage performing their own journey?
Besides from a few clips, this is what I was coming into the show with. Was it going to be a speech? A biography?
The musical score is composed by a good friend of mine’s father, Matuaitoga Posenai Mavaega, employing the talents of Meka Nehemia, Hayden Nickel, Andy Mauafua, and Isitolo Alesana. The music and acting ensemble with Pati, tells his story of disability and was a soothing, witty and heartbreaking journey, especially when certain moments really hit. I loved how the show structured Pati’s journey in such an interesting way, and I found the music was the strongest part. Pati picking up the bass was one of those moments that really hit, impacted by the multitude of chorus, Pasifika and Māori choreography and the beautiful star map that sat above the stage. It didn't click why it was there until it was explained in the ending, but I felt it worked great visually anyway.
There were other moments where the ensemble lost momentum, but the cast of seasoned actors helped support each other as a whole. Mihi ana ki Mere Boynton, Paris Tuimaseve-Fox, Lavinia Lovo, Albert Latailakepa, and Faith Tou. I actually loved these moments where I could see a slip up, forgotten a line, or a piece of movement because that’s when I see the actors, their authentic selves, which they might not know is beautiful to watch.
I had to admit that certain parts of dialogue felt like a Ted Talk. In those moments the story tried to tell the audience how Pati felt, rather than letting the words speak for themselves and trusting that the audience would receive, feel and interpret them. However, when they do let the words speak for themselves it really shifts and I begin to dream around them. Pati’s stories reminded me of how I would sit down and listen to my Nanny ramble about her life stories. All the things that made up her, I loved listening to.
Even with some ups and downs, the message came through about Pati's battle with ableism, how much neglect the disabled community suffers and how much awhi the rest of us need to give in order to move forward. Changing these negative connotations and views people have of the disabled community was the heart of it. These comments are more on the theatrical elements rather than the content.
When all the right beats are hit, cues marked, and the words are able to speak for themselves I can see the excellent potential of this show, and definitely a story worth telling.
About Manunui Rainey
From Tūrangi to Tāmaki, Manu's been looking for theatre that makes him 'go hundies'. After drama school, he was hooked into devised theatre work with Massive Theatre Company and has been a member of the Nui Ensemble ever since. He works as an actor and teaching artist and is now diving into the world of stage and screenwriting. With a knack for picking out the heart of a story, Manu's sure to craft work that hits audiences right where it counts.
