reviews
"An Epic Story of Here, Made Here"
Tanemahuta Gray shares some of those great qualities with his leading man, Maui - he's bold, courageous and unstoppable. This stage spectacular, and spectacular it is, has taken years to create and now to refine.
Full review (Website)"Courageous Maui Spirited and Epic"
This musical theatre epic, revised from a preliminary version several years ago, has now been amplified, in every sense of the word, into a hugely generous, witty and spirited show that gives Wellingtonians many reasons to be proud of the director, Tanemahuta Gray, local boy made good, and the terrific team of performers.
"Maui Myths Exposed"
Aerial theatre and contemporary dance collide with kapa haka and waiata in spectacular style. The heroic deeds of New Zealand's most notorious trouble maker are brought to life in this spectacular staging of the legends of Maui.
Full review (Website)"Maui Production Is Stylish Theatre"
The story of Maui is similar to the myths of other cultures dealing with the struggle between the gods and men. Maui, who exists between the spirit world and natural world is like Christ, Gilgamesh and Achilles, who undertook tasks in the belief they would gain immortality, knowledge and insight.
"Maui"
There are many books of Maui, with luscious illustrations and text in Maori and English, yet few have tried to capture this tricky and appealing hero in any other medium - he is just too big. Director Tanemahuta Gray takes up the challenge with this fabulous show, uniting elements of kapa haka, dance, music and aerial theatre with operatic scale.
"Defies Gravity in Every Sense"
I said it was ready for the world two years ago. The same is true only more so now. The 12-part storyline, published in the programme, is also offered as a free hand-out to all ticket-holders and yes, it's a good idea to swot up on it before the show starts. The addition of English-language narration - or rather deep-felt retrospection from a father asking himself, and us, if he might have been able to better divert Maui from the path he chose - richly intoned by Te Kohe Tuhaka's Tama-nui-te-Ra, adds much to the accessibility of the story.
Full review (Website)"Maui - One Man Against The Gods"
Maui: One Man against the Gods is a storytelling spectacular in which the legends of Maui are interpreted through dance, music and theatricality. The effect is an evening of powerful and visceral beauty and emotion, as well as a too rare opportunity to view a professional show presented mostly in Te Reo Maori.
Full review (Website)"Maui Powerful"
"As a production with its startling effects and extraordinary power, it is quite some triumph. The energy of the cast, led by Tamati Patuwai as Maui, was quite breathtaking and every scene was played with the utmost urgency and strength."
Full review (Website)"From Myth To Theatrical Legend"
"Tanemahuta Gray and his collaborators have succeeded in creating a minor, theatrical miracle in this multi-disciplined depiction of the legend of the celebrated demigod Maui – the man who took on the gods. Marshalling the ferocious energy of kapa haka, Gray demanded and received a visceral response from an audience who were thoroughly enchanted by the theatre of images that he conjured up, with every trick in the book, and then some. … There is very little doubt that this powerful production will go on to achieve the world exposure it is aiming for."
"Polished Maui Deserves Worldwide Exposure"
"As an epic theatrical spectacle, "Maui - One Man Against The Gods" is phenomenal. Riveting, amusing and awesome; it is also as profoundly insightful as any ancient rites-of-passage myth about an adventurous demi-god confronting the forces of darkness and light. Yet its distinctively Maori pulse, look and feel, rooted in tradition, but expressed with contemporary skills and technological flair, bring a new vitality to this very old tale."
Full review (Website)Sunday Star Times
"At the end of this spectacular show, the audience was on its feet cheering… To see [the Maui legends] brought to life felt like a cultural homecoming of which all concerned should be proud. …After the ecstatic reception on opening night, many must wish they hadn’t been so slow in fronting up with the cash, because this show is going to tour and tour and tour. …[I]f the special effects were the icing on the cake, the flavour came from the integrity of the performances."