Tauranga school students are being gifted tickets to a world-class, groundbreaking show in their own town this August – thanks to Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.

The internationally acclaimed Māori circus-styled theatre show, Te Tangi a Te Tūī, will be performed at Baycourt on August 6 – the first of five North Island centres.

Tickets for the August 6 public show went on sale May 19 and proceeds will subsidise the schools-only matinee on August 7.

Baycourt Community & Arts Centre manager Reena Snook said Te Tangi a Te Tūī is unlike anything previously staged in Tauranga, with all dialogue in te reo Māori.

“This production is so unique, of such high calibre and it carries such cultural and emotional weight that it called for an exceptional response from us,” Snook said.

That response includes the offer of free tickets to Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty school students, to remove financial barriers and ensure rangatahi (youth) from both kura kaupapa Māori and mainstream schools can experience the show.

Baycourt had also partnered with Toi Tauranga Art Gallery to deliver a creative project in which students will design a tūī inspired by the production’s themes. Artworks will be displayed at Baycourt to extend the show’s visual impact.

Te Tangi a Te Tūī performances sold out when the show opened in Auckland last year and when it travelled to Vancouver, Canada.

Snook said the evocative experience, which tells the story of the tūī’s song and its evolution through the centuries, is a powerful collaboration between kaupapa Māori performing arts company Te Pou Theatre and cirque theatre company The Dust Palace.

“While the te reo component is essential, Vancouver audiences proved this is an incredibly universal show that transcends language barriers,” Snook said.

“We know Canadians have had limited exposure to Māori culture and language yet they connected deeply with the timeless themes of love and loss, and they laughed and cried right on cue. That speaks to the strength of storytelling as well as the stunning visual elements – from the acrobatics to the dramatic performances.”

As a result, Snook had no doubt Tauranga audiences will be just as moved come August.

“For some in our audience, this will be the first time they’ve stepped inside a traditional theatre space. It’s an experience they might not have had if it meant travelling to Auckland or Wellington to see it, which is often the case for large-scale theatre productions.

“It’s so important we support work like this, so that powerful, professional Māori storytelling reaches the communities that need to see it most.”

For details and tickets, see: https://www.baycourt.co.nz/