Mīria George (Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa / Avaiki Nui) is a poet, and writer, director, producer of theatre and film. Alongside Hone Kouka, Mīria is the co-founder and co-director of Tawata Productions, an artist-led creative company that specialises in the development and creation of new performance experiences by artists of tangata whenua and tangata moana heritage.
Organisation/Company
Name: Tawata Productions
My Role: Co-Director
Tawata Productions is a creative company based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington (Aotearoa New Zealand).
Specialising in the rigorous development and presentation of new theatre and screen production, Tawata blurs the lines between text, movement and image presenting a dynamic performance experience from Aotearoa to the world beyond. We present an annual programme of stage, sound & screen productions – as well as Breaking Ground, an international Indigenous playwriting festival.
Our work includes theatre productions Bless The Child, The Night Mechanics, The Vultures, I, George Nepia and TŪ. Our screen work includes the award winning short film fire in the water, fire in the sky, the webseries Big Hair, Don’t Care, and the audio drama series Maranga Mai.
Our collaborations include the writing project Ngā Whakaaro Huritāo scribed by directors, actors, composers, production managers, designers, festival directors who have worked with our company across nearly two decades.
Ngā Rorirori
Artform: Indigenous Dance Theatre
Development Status: Tour Ready
Pitch Video
Media Uploads
Trailer
Synopsis
2022 Te Tumu Toi Arts Foundation Laureate Hone Kouka (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungungu, Rongowhakaata) brings to the stage his new work, combining three forms that he loves as an artist: Dance. Theatre. Farce. Ngā Rorirori pushes the boundaries of live performance as we know it.
A rural marae has hit the jackpot – if they pass one final hurdle, that is. The haukāinga must convince the Government’s Chief Executive of the Department of ‘Whenua, Whakapapa and Whatever’ that they are the true descendants of their eponymous ancestor! If they are successful at doing so, the vast coastline in their rohe reverts to their ownership, garnering millions of dollars… in back rent alone.
Ngā Rorirori is a comical foray into one whānau’s relationship with their whenua, and their quest to turn their coastline into a cash cow. In question here, are Pillow and Manuela Rorirori – a brother and sister who also happen to be the only two members of their hapū. He’s a convicted fraudster who’s returned to his rohe after a series of failed business ventures, she’s the kaupapa driven teina trying desperately to hold her whānau together.
This is the new work from the writer of landmark theatre productions, Ngā Tangata Toa, Waiora, The Prophet and Bless The Child – Hone Kouka presents his first new work in four years.
Featuring choreography by Braedyn Togi (Kūki ‘Āirani, Ngāti Hāmoa), design by Mark McEntyre with Nina Kaiwai (Ngāti Porou), Natasha James, Sopheak Seng (Khmer Aotearoa) and composition by Maarire Brunning-Kouka (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe, Ngāti Raukawa) and Reon Bell (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Ngā Rorirori is an innovative dance theatre experience written and directed by Hone Kouka and produced by Mīria George (Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, Kūki ‘Āirani) for Tawata Productions.
Creative Team and Crew
Written & Directed by Hone Kouka | Choreography by Braedyn Togi
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Regan Taylor as Pillow Rorirori | Mycah Keall as Manuela Rorirori | Sefa Tunupopo as Rere Ahuahu | Nomuna Amarbat as Stacey Li Paul | Hahna Nichols as R. A. (Ripeka) Goldsmithworthy
VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Regan Taylor as Pillow Rorirori | Rongopai Tickell as Manuela Rorirori | Matariki Whatarau as Rere Ahuahu | Nomuna Amarbat as Stacey Li Paul | Shania Bailey-Edmonds as R. A. (Ripeka) Goldsmithworthy
PRODUCTION TEAM
Hōhepa Waitoa - I Whakamāoritia (te reo Māori translation) Sheree Waitoa - I Whakamāoritia (te reo Māori translation) | Natasha James - Lighting Designer | Mark McEntyre - Set Designer | Danny Caldwell - Set Builder | Giovanni Maule - Building Assistant | Nina Kaiwai - Set Finisher / Set & Prop Design Assist | Anaru Dalziel - Audio Engineer & Post Production Audio | Ben Horton - Composition Mastering | Sopheak Seng - Costume Designer / Campaign Stylist | Sheilah Horton - Wardrobe | Maarire Brunning Kouka - Composer | Reon Bell - Composer & Sound Operator | Rose Miller - Graphic Design | Dave Richards - Campaign Photographer | ROC+ Photography - Production Photographer | Mīria George - Producer
Number of People in the Touring Party
10
Previous Seasons
Premiere Season Circa Theatre, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, June 2022
Reviews and Quotes
“Ngā Rorirori would not be out of place at The National in London.”
Theatreview
"...In a week in which we celebrate Matariki, it’s fitting to watch the latest work of gifted Māori playwright and director, Hone Kouka. Described as part theatre, dance and cinema, Ngā Rorirori (‘the idiots’’ in te reo) is unlike anything I’ve seen at Circa Theatre.”
The Dominion Post
"...There’s a lot of joy here, as there should be in any good farce. But Ngā Rorirori isn’t just any farce; it’s a sleek and creative romp through which the characters slip through the languages of Te Reo, English, Dance and Kapa Haka in a mad chase to be heard and understood. There’s kisses of Oscar Wilde and even echoes of Alan Brunton and Red Mole too (‘Embrace the individual joys of Capitalism!”).
Tawata Productions has an immense list of whānau who have created Ngā Rorirori (approx 45 named on the programme) and the work is a testament to each and everyone one of them. I hope they're proud..."
Theatreview
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.