Words Glenn Blomfield
I actually grew to really enjoy Te Po. There was more behind it than I realised going in from the start. Quite surprising how philosophical the themes grow, and revelations opened as the play transformed through progression.
Admittingly the slapstick type humour at the start annoyed me, it made the play feel old, from a different time, where it didn’t feel current. Though it transforms in realisation, time is an integral part of the Te Po, past and present is current. Fiction becomes reality, because we perceive as so. Rather cool actually.
The play will take you on a journey, with leading NZ actors, Andrew Grainger playing the aloof ‘Detective Inspector Brett’ searching but lost in the process, Rawiri Paratene is the Blind ‘Werihe’ and soul to the group, and Carl Bland as ‘Reverend Sedgwick’ he brings spirit and searching hope to the group. There is a fourth played by the young boy, Max Cumberpatch as the boy ‘Bruce Mason’.
All these great actors pulling you into a stage production, that at times beautifully blurs the lines with illusion, the surreal, imagination, philosophy, down avenues of darkness that is grief, also enlightenment of reality and meaning.
There is even music to revel in, where the ever so wonderful Rawiri Paratene, opens each act with a singing solo. You may think this is an audacious amount of themes to cram into a play, though pleasantly you absorb the magic that this evening in the theatre will bring.
Te Po is on until Nov 4th at Q Theatre.