Maui opens tonight at Ruapehu College

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 46, 7 May 1985, Page 7

Maui opens tonight at Ruapehu College

Maui, Ruapehu College's first play production for many years, opens tonight (Tuesday) at the college hall. Over 50 pupils are taking part in the production, a musical, which will run for three nights. The pupils and staff have been preparing to stage the play since early March under the direction of the principal, Mr Michael Warbrick and Mrs Sue Allomes. "Initially the performance was a bit of a struggle,"says Mr Warbrick, "because the children had not had the experience of doing onp for a long time, so they didn't really know what they were in for." But he believes the show has come together very well. Mr Warbrick is thrilled with the input from the community. "The community has come to life with regard to making equipment available, and helping with expertise in music, costuming, lighting and sound effects." Many pupils have been involved paintirig scenery for the production, under the supervision of Mrs Merrilyh George. Secretary at the college, Mrs Bubbs Hibbard, says the children had been rehearsing every day and in the final days before the play was due to open were rehearsing three times per day. "As 80% of our pupils travel by bus, it is impossible to hold practices after school or at weekends," says Mr Warbrick. "So although much school time has been taken up with the production, the staff

believe that it is relevant to the needs of the pupils." Mr Warbrick believes the musical is of cultural value to the students, "we cater a lot for the sporting and academic side at this school and I think this is one aspect which has been missing in the past." Mr Warbrick believes Maui may be the first of a series of annual plays at the college. "It is hoped that the impetus which has been generated here can be maintained," he says. The story of Maui is based on the legend of a mythological character in Maori folk legend, who fished up the North Island. Maui was abandoned by his mother, and taken care

of by Rangi, the Sea-God, as a baby. As he grew older, with the aid of a magic jaw-bone belonging to his grandfather, he was able to beat the Sun-God into submission which caused day and night. Maui was able to fish up the North Island with the use of the magic jaw bone. He was also responsible for making fire manageable by winning fire from the Fire-Godess. In spite of all his achievements, Maui was unsuccessful in taming the Godess of Death, which proved he was

a mere mortal. In the musical, the pupils of Ruapehu College unfold the life of Maui while he was on earth, from his childhood to his death. As the musicaLis a multicultural show, pupils will be performing an Irish jig, Latin-American tango and rock and roll to name but a few.