Hit Tongan rugby movie Red, White and Brass turned is taking to the stage.
The production will see many of the film’s original cast members reprising their roles, including John-Paul Foliaki as Maka, who will be making his theatre debut.
“It’s exciting to be back. There’s a massive difference between film and theatre, you don’t have much room to mess up your lines and you’ve got to really be on your A game,” Foliaki said.
Adapted by playwright, Leki Jackson-Bourke and with direction from Anapela Polataivao and Vela Manusaute, the play follows the true story of die-hard rugby fan, Maka, who alongside his cousin Veni, misses out on tickets to see Tonga play France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Desperate to see the game, they decide to form a traditional Tongan marching band for the pre-match entertainment. But the band doesn’t actually exist, and Maka is tasked with rallying together a group of misfits who know nothing about marching.
“The whole underpinning message about it is that Tongans can do everything, and we do do everything,” said Jackson-Bourke.
Those involved in the show say unlike the film version, being on stage has allowed them to push creative boundaries, with a number of musical and dance acts incorporated in to the theatre version.
“This theatre version is really out the gate, it’s hypo, it’s high energy, it’s loud and proud and it’s totally different from the film but still has that nostalgic feeling,” Jackson-Bourke said.
Onetoto Ikavuka, who played Rob in the film, but plays Reverend Pita in the theatre-version, said the show has given him an opportunity to show his “versatility” as an actor.
Diamond Langi, an actress and former Miss Universe New Zealand, is also in the show, playing Irene.
“Just be inspired and don’t be afraid to go out there and tell the stories you want to tell,” she said.
A story of family, friendship, rugby and Tongan pride, the cast hope the play will inspire the audience to embrace their identity.
“All the people who come to watch this show they’re gonna leave feeling māfana, and proud to be Tongan,” said Saale Ilaua, who plays Veni.
“It’s all about the pride, and that’s definitely something that we show in this theatre piece”.
The show premieres on Tuesday June 18th at Auckland’s ASB Waterfront Theatre.
