Flintlock Musket

Flintlock Musket marks Outrageous Fortune’s star Torrance’s return to the stage as a playwright after the success of his debut Strata, which scooped the “Most Original Production”, “Outstanding New Playwright” and “Most Promising New Director” at the 2003 Chappman Tripp Theatre Awards. Coupled with the talent of award winning director Rachel House (Best Director, NZ Listener 2002 and Director of the Year Chappman Tripp Awards), this premiere production is certain to capture the attention of NZ audiences.

Set during the infamous “Musket Wars” in the early 1800s, the epic tale sees Scotsman Mason, having fled to New Zealand, looking for land he can make his own. Receiving refuge from the wily and dangerous ariki (chief) Aoraki comes at a price – Mason is now considered a mokai (pet) amongst Aoraki’s tribe.

Hine, a woman Aoraki gives Mason as a wife, has lived a life of servitude and is desperate to escape. She sees in her new husband the ambition he continually denies. Seeing her chance, she finally ignites Mason’s drive, which she hopes will set her free. But not without perilous consequences.

Inspired by the works of Shakespeare, Torrance’s approach to his new play was to craft a story within an era that has long captured his interest ‘'I have always been interested in the period of NZ history of the early 1800's - the dynamics of the initial first contact between Maori and Pakeha. I wrote Flintlock Musket inspired also by Shakespeare's Macbeth - I always saw it as a tribal story which would fit in well in the NZ landscape, and the tribal construct of early society here’ says Torrance.

Flintlock Musket brings together a creative team of NZ’s finest theatre practitioners including design by John Verryt, Rona Ngahuia Osbourne and Jeremy Fern, movement by Jack Gray and music by Tama Waipara and Sean Lynch.

Taking to the stage is a cast as mighty as those behind the scenes also; Nancy Brunning (The Strength of Water, What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted) takes to task the role of Hine; Te Kohe Tuhaka (Shortland Street’s “Kingi”) as Toki and award winning actor Jason Whyte as Mason. They are joined by a talented ensemble of actors and dancers including Maaka Pohatu, Scott Cotter, Tamihana Paurini, Jarod Rawiri , Maria Walker, Taane Mete, and Nancy Wijohn.

Event listed by Bored_Housewife

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