Taki Rua Productions' STRANGE RESTING PLACES Returns 3/16-22

Taki Rua Productions' Strange Resting Places is not resting in 2009 and is continuing with the success it has enjoyed in recent years. Written by Paolo Rotondo and Rob Mokaraka, the play is crafted from contemporary storytelling, personal experience and extensive research, with music and comedy in Maori, Italian and English and some hilarious and moving characters. Before heading off on an international adventure it returns to Wellington from 16 March (for one week only) shining a light on the complex emotional bonds of New Zealand's wartime history and the three universals that Maori shared with the Italians: whānau, food and song - not to mention wily cunning, a love of vino and a passion for the ladies.

Set against the backdrop of war, Strange Resting Places traces the stories and personal experiences of the Māori Battalion in Italy, as celebrated NZ actors Paolo Rotondo (Italian) and Rob Mokaraka (Māori) take audiences on a touching and often humorous tale of comradeship and survival. "Great theatre touches your soul and throws you about as though you were in a washing machine. Thank you for doing that." T. Watkins (Son of a Maori Battalion Soldier, Auckland showing, 2004)
Strange Resting Places plays at Downstage Theatre from 16 till 21 March at 8 pm. Prices for the show range from $20 to $42. Special Early Bird discounts apply. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at (04) 801 6946 or in person at Downstage's box office. For up-to-date information, prices and bookings visit www.downstage.co.nz
Starring Paolo Rotondo, Rob Mokaraka & Maaka Pohatu

Directed by Leo Gene Peters
Duration: 75 min, no interval

An Italian-born New Zealander, Paolo is an award-winning actor and writer. A graduate of Philippe Gaulier and John Bolton; actor, writer, director Rotondo has worked in the theatre, film and television industry for over ten years. He is best known for his feature film credits The Ugly and Stickmen as well as TV 2's Shortland Street and The Insider's Guide to Happiness.

Theatre works include the national-tour smash hit Little Che (BATS), Fond Love and Kisses (Downstage), Mr. Marmalade and The Little Dog Laughed (Silo Theatre) and Twelfth Night (ATC). A successful short film director and writer, Rotondo's work includes The Freezer. His latest short film Dead Letters screened in the 2006 New Zealand International Film Festival and was selected to attend the prestigious Telluride Film Festival in Colorado in the same year. He was the recipient of the Inaugural Italian Film Festival Scholarship which sent him to attend the 2007 Venice Film Festival as well as an internship with the Italian film production house Due A.

Rob is of Ngapuhi/Tuhoe descent. He has been part of the award-winning theatre productions InSALT (The SEEyD Theatre Company) and Have Car Will Travel (BATS) for which he won Best Male Newcomer at the 2001 Chapman Tripp awards. Previous works include Goldie (ATC), Four Hangis and a Tangi (Oddfellows NZ International Comedy Festival), The Untold Tales of Maui & Nga Tangata Toa (Taki Rua Productions), Questions and Never Never (BATS) and the 2006 NZ International Arts Festival hit King and Country at Downstage Theatre. Film and television credits include Questions, Duggan, Mataku, Love Bites, Aikido Insane and Tama Tu.
Maaka Pohatu (Actor)

Ko Ngai Tamanuhiri, Ngati Apa, Ngati Porou ratou ko Tuwharetoa oku iwi. A graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Maaka began working for Taki Rua Productions in 1998. Theatre and Radio works include Taku Waimarie (Taki Rua Productions) and Battalion (Te Rakau Hua O Te Wao Tapu) and Hui Hopping (Radio NZ). Pohatu is a musician, fluent speaker of Maori with a strong background in Traditional Maori performing Arts (Kapa Haka) and Tikanga Maori.

Leo Gene Peters graduated with a Master of Theatre Arts (Directing) Degree from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and Victoria University of Wellington in 2004. He has worked as a professional director, designer, technician, actor, tutor, facilitator and mentor for the past 10 years. His original works include collaborations on Settling (BATS/STAB 2007 - Chapman Tripp Nominee: Most Original Production) and Shifting (BATS 2006 - Chapman Tripp Nominee: Most Promising New Director). In 2005 Gene directed, designed and co-wrote The SEEyD Theatre Company's The Remedy Syndrome (Chapman Tripp Nominee: Best New Play) and co-directed, with AnDrew Foster, James Ashcroft's solo show Sorry I'm Out, But I Can be Booked.

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