THE FACTORY

KILA KOKONUT KREW (AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND)

Wednesday 6 - Monday 11 March, 2013

Q Theatre, Auckland

New Zealand's first ever Pacific musical, The Factory, created in and about South Auckland by the courageous Kila Kokonut Krew (KKK), is coming to the big smoke. After a sell-out premiere season at Mangere Arts Centre in 2011, Auckland Arts Festival 2013 is bringing a new version of the vibrant, funk-fuelled show to Auckland's Q Theatre.

The Factory is a revved up and at times irreverent exploration of the Samoan migrant experience. Arriving in Aukilani with her father, a young Samoan woman with big dreams and hopes for a brighter future is immediately set to work in a South Auckland textile factory. There she discovers that each time the factory bell rings she feels further away from her home and aspirations.

This hilarious and heartfelt musical gem weaves a romantic narrative and wry lyrics into a tribute to the courage of the Pacific peoples who migrated to New Zealand during the 70s searching for ways to support the families they had left behind and striving to make new lives for themselves.

According to Auckland Arts Festival Artistic Director, Carla van Zon, "Giving fantastic NZ works an opportunity to have a second outing, to further develop and subsequently extend their lifespan, is a priority of the Festival. The Factory is a brilliant show and a deeply significant story. We wanted to give KKK the opportunity to revisit it, and to share it with the widest possible audience after its highly successful season in Mangere last year."

Opening with a powerful call to ancestral roots delivered by the cast of 14, The Factory features an original score by Poulima Salima, a dazzling array of exuberant and soulful songs, slick choreography and a live seven-piece band including a string ensemble.

The Kila Kokonut Krew was created in 2002 from a desire to fill a gap in the Pacific Island Performing Arts Industry. Vela Manusaute and Anapela Polataivao, both Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School graduates, formed a professional entertainment company that combined Pacific talent and a message for their audience. Based in South Auckland, the KKK's goal was clear - to create theatre with a strong political and social focus that the rest of the world could not ignore.

www.aaf.co.nz

Not just created by Islanders, it's a musical about Islanders, that covers the struggles faced by generations of Islanders coming to Niu Sila for "milk, honey and money" - Theatre Scenes

The Factory demonstrates that musical theatre is the ideal form for expressing the heightened emotions and indomitable optimism of the immigrant story. - NZ Herald

Musical director Poulima Salima pulls off a remarkable fusion with a live band that has delicate string arrangements combining with the driving rhythms of Pacific Island drums, a soulful saxophone and some serious guitar based funk. - NZ Herald

SEASON DETAILS

Show The Factory

Where Rangatira, Q Theatre, Auckland

When Wednesday 6 March - Saturday 9 March, 7.30pm

Sunday 10 March, 5pm

Monday 11 March, 6.30pm

Duration 1hr 30min no interval

Post-show talk Thursday, 7 March

Price A Reserve $55 / Friend/Conc/Group $49

B Reserve $45 / Friend/Conc/Group $39

Bookings Book at THE EDGE: www.buytickets.co.nz / 09 357 3355 / 0800 289 842

Group bookings: groups@the-edge.co.nz / 09 357 3354

Book at Q Theatre: www.qtheatre.co.nz / 09 309 9771

Information www.aaf.co.nz

Social Media Facebook: facebook.com/Aklfestival

Twitter: @Aklfestival

Media enquiries Siobhan Waterhouse, Publicist. P: +64 (0)9 374 0317 | M: +64 (0) 22 126  4149  | E: siobhan.waterhouse@aucklandfestival.co.nz

CREATIVE CREDITS

Directors: Anapela Polataivao and Vela Manusaute

Composer: Poulima Salima

Line Producer: Jonathan Alver

Set Design: Sean Coyle

Produced and presented by Auckland Arts Festival

With support from Creative New Zealand and ASB Community Trust