Tag Archives: David Mamea

May Fono

31/05/2013Boat Business, Film, TheatreDavid Mamea, Edward PeniThe Administrative Banana

Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Talofa lava
Taloha ni
Fakaalofa lahi atu

Welcome to a rather late after-match report from Banana Boat’s May fono in Grey Lynn.

Present were Edward Peni and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from Grant Bayley, Leilani Unasa and Jenni Heka.

BANANA BOAT BUSINESS

The low turn-out was due largely to someone not giving a gentle heads-up until the night before.

As Edward and David waited for further attendees who did not eventuate, their conversation included the politics of identity in not just Pasifika theatre, but a wide range of media, the state of Pasifika and Maori representation in dramatic media – the TV3 show Harry came up – and the future of Pasifika creative arts.

NEXT FONO

– will be on ~~Thursday 28 February 2013~~ at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

23 July 2009 Fono

02/08/2009Boat Business, TheatreArnette Arapai, Chetan Patel, Christina Mamea, David Grierson, David Mamea, Hayley Hansell, Jenni Heka, Jodhi Hoani, Leilani, Matene Karena, Skyblue, Stan Wolfgramm, Then Sings My Soul, Victoria SchmidtThe Administrative Banana

Welcome to the after-match report. The July fono marked the twelfth monthly get together of the Banana Boat group. That’s our first year out of the way! Boo-ya!

Present were Arnette Arapai, David Grierson, Hayley Hansell, Jody Hoani, Matene Karena, Leilani, Christina Mamea, Chetan Patel, Victoria Schmidt, Stan Wolfgramm, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from the still-globe-trotting Stacey Leilua, and the quite busy Eric Smith.

2009 Banana Boat Jukebox

A final reminder rung out for the 2009 Jukebox season, which closed on Friday 31 July.

2010 Banana Boat Season

Jenni announced Banana Boat’s slate:

2010
– I Don’t Do Coconut by Chetan Patel & Eric Smith
– Makigi by Jonathan P Riley
– Road to Glory by Chetan Patel
– Then Sings My Soul by Victoria Schmidt

2011 onwards
– The NGG by Eric Smith
– Kingswood by D F Mamea

Congratulations to the above-named, thanks to all who submitted, and onwards to development, workshops and production!

2010 Pasifika Playwrights Development Initiative

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 25 September at 3:00pm.

Script Readings

The group was spoilt with readings this month:
– an untitled short piece by David G;
– Then Sings My Soul by Victoria Schmidt; and
– Skyblue by David M

David G’s piece showed dramatic and comedic promise as a short two-hander about an already dysfunctional bride and groom.

Victoria’s full-length script, based on her 10-minute monologue that electrified the 2009 Pasifika Forum, showed the group the challenges of expanding a short piece into a full-length play. The group looks forward to the next draft.

After group readings in December 2008 and May 2009 of earlier and varied incarnations of his project, David M finally had a complete draft to share. Feedback was balanced between those readers wanting more exposition and details, and those who were happy with filling in the blanks themselves.

Next Meeting —

— will be on Thursday, 27 August at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be Read —

— at the August meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. Only complete act/s for full-length plays, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group. First-time attendees’ scripts will not be read. Scripts will need to be printed and copied at the writer’s expense.

To avoid disappointment, getting in touch with David or Jenni at least a week beforehand will increase the chances of your script being read.

ARCHIVE – 23 October 2008 meeting

02/11/2008Boat Business, TheatreBayley Johansson, Bronwyn Judd, Chetan Patel, David Mamea, Eric Smith, Flintlock Musket, Jay Williams, Jenni Heka, Jonathan Riley, Kirk Torrance, Makigi, Mark Amery, Michelle Johansson, Ole Maiava, Sandra Kailahi, Stan WolfgrammThe Administrative Banana

Yo sup, homes.

Our third meeting was held on Thursday, 23 October in the Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, and was another brilliant meeting of minds.

Highlights:
– Chapman-Tripp award-winning playwright Kirk Torrance, talked about his approaches to structure, and very generously answered heaps of questions on his work and craft; check out his next play, Flintlock Musket, being read at Double Shot at The Edge on 6 December 2008;
– a cooler name for the group was discussed and the front-runners are: Niu Voices, Niu Ink; Niu Blood; The Banana Boat; more suggestions welcome between now and the next meeting when all names will be put to a vote;
– a questionnaire was handed out for members’ perusal and optional completion; a self-explanatory copy is attached;
– after a brief discussion, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson and David Mamea will look at putting together a funding proposal for the inaugural 2009 Banana Boat season;
– Jonathan Riley’s scene, a romantic romp in Auckland Zoo, was read by the group with much hilarity, with Mark Amery gamely reading the part of a lavalava- and beanie-wearing Samoan fairy called Makigi;
– Eric Smith’s scene, an intense cross-cultural family drama, provided the group with an excellent change of pace and tone, provoking in-depth discussion followed by Eric having to put up with demands of “What happens next?!”;
– all of the above was done with Bayley Johansson, Bronwen Judd, Sandra Kailahi and Child, Ollie Maiava, Chetan Patel, Phoenix Seve, and Stan Wolfgramm also in attendance;
– and apologies were received from Fasitua Amosa, Tarisi Vunidilo, Louise Tu’u, Nina Tapu and Fiona Collins.

If you want to share your scene/s with the group, please email it/them to David by Thursday, 27 November 2008.

NEXT MEETING will be on THURSDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2008 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm – this is not the fourth Thursday of November; this will be the last meeting for 2008. It will be held at the funky Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

And since this will be the last meeting for 2008, please bring a plate for some after-meeting eating and drinking.

Usually there’d be a word from our sponsor Playmarket, by way of Jenni, but she’s pretty busy – but I’m sure she’d say something like…
– big ups to Chetan and Eric, whose script was chosen for development as part of Playmarket’s Pasifika Playwright Development Forum for 2009; Ali Foa’i was the other playwright to be chosen for development;
– look at the Manukau Festival of Arts (www.mfa.org.nz) for some great free opportunities to learn and share and be inspired;
– and see you at the next meeting!

Thanks, ah, Jenni!