Defiant dance, big bold beats and a story of love created by Hone Kouka and featuring live vocals and a return to acting by Ria Hall, The Beautiful Ones brings the late night sheen of a city club to Aotea Centre’s Lower NZI from 19 – 26 November. Projected imagery, live music, beats, fierce dance and late night talk collide to produce an electrifying underground experience with an urban Pacific flavour.
The Beautiful Ones invites the audience onto the large scale set with open dance floor, and into the dynamic and heady world of Hana and Ihia. Will the promise the young lovers made to each other withstand the temptations of the modern world'
Visually striking, this multi-media work features roots/hip hop songstress Ria Hall performing to contemporary music by rising producer K*Saba and award-winning musician Tama Waipara. The show is choreographed by Tai Paitai, teamed with design by artist Johnson Witehira and fashion stylist Sopheak Seng. Dolina Wehipeihana is taking on the role of dramaturg.
A highly talented crew have brought this site specific performance to life with performances by Ria Hall (AIA Marae DIY), Tia Maipi (Born To Dance), Scotty Cotter (The Rehearsal), Sharn Te Pou, Paige Shand (As Night Falls), Te Hau Winitana, Braedyn Togi and Raai Badeeu.
‘Kouka describes the production as loud, brash and youthful. And while it is all of these it is also poetic, lyrical and highly original with some exquisite dance routines... a uniquely satisfying and very entertaining work’ –The Dominion Post
