Image: Garth Oriander

Black Ties

ILBIJERRI Theatre Company & Te Rēhia Theatre

Two families, two cultures… too much!

It was love at first sight when Māori corporate hotshot Hera and Aboriginal consultancy entrepreneur Kane locked eyes at a cultural awareness session. Ambitious and career focused, Kane and Hera now have their perfect future all mapped out. There’s one thing they can’t control…their families!

Season 20-29 February 2020
Sessions During APAM Gathering 2pm & 7pm Wed 26 Feb, 7pm Thur 27 Feb, 7pm Fri 28 Feb
Venue The Pavillion, Arts Centre Melbourne

***IMPORTANT The updated running time of Black Ties is 2 hours and 50 minutes (inc. interval)

BOOK NOW
    ABOUT THE SHOW

    As the biggest mob of Aunties, Uncles and cousins from both sides of the ditch get worked up for the blackest wedding ever, reality is sinking in fast. Will this international love story bring two strong cultures together? Or will it tear Hera and Kane’s world to pieces?

    BLACK TIES is a hilarious and heart-warming immersive theatre experience by ILBIJERRI Theatre Company (Australia) and Te Rēhia Theatre (Aotearoa/New Zealand) that reminds us of the power of love to reach across the gulfs that divide us and unite us as human beings.

    This groundbreaking collaboration between major First Nations performing arts companies is set to showcase the rich talents of a wide array of theatrical artists. With a peerless cast including Uncle Jack Charles, Mark Coles Smith, Lisa Maza, Tuakoi Ohia and Brady Peeti, and created by a crack team of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori theatre makers, BLACK TIES reimagines the popular wedding rom-com from a distinctively First Nations perspective. Set to a live score of Black anthems and wedding classics, this will be one party to remember.

    Dates 20-29 February 2020
    Venue The Pavilion, Arts Centre Melbourne
    Running Time 2hrs 50mins, including interval
    AUSLAN 7:00pm, Saturday 29 February 2020
    Warning Some adult references. Moderate coarse language.

    **Please note that to access tickets to the 2pm performance on Wednesday 26 February, please enter your exclusive APAM ticket code in the ‘Promo Code’ field. Otherwise the Asia TOPA website will show this performance as unavailable.**

    CREDITS
    Written by John Harvey and Tainui Tukiwaho
    Directed by Rachael Maza and Tainui Tukiwaho
    Set designer Jacob Nash
    Composer and musical director Brendon Boney
    Lighting designer Jane Hakaraia
    AV designer James Henry
    Sound designer Laughton Kora
    Costume designer Te Ura Hoskins
    Performers
    Uncle Jack Charles
    Mark Coles Smith
    Lana Garland
    Tawhirangi Macpherson
    Lisa Maza
    Tuakoi Ohia
    Brady Peeti
    Tainui Tukiwaho
    Dalara Williams
    Dion Williams
    And a three-piece band led by Brendan Boney and featuring Laughton Kora