Writer – D.F. Mamea
Director – Fasitua Amosa
Production Design – John Parker
Lighting Design – Marcus McShane
Sound Design – Khalid Parkar
Cast – Goretti Chadwick and Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson
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Engaging & moving pacific story
An intimate, heart-warming, and funny play about friendship, loss, love and life.
When Mama discovers a mischievous chicken invading her flourishing veggie garden her first instinct is to reach for a spade. But what starts out as a skirmish over the silverbeets develops into an unlikely friendship.
Award-winning playwright D.F. Mamea’s slice-of-life story paints a vivid portrait of a local neighbourhood, it’s colourful characters, and Mama’s dreams for herself and her family. Goretti Chadwick (Pani and Pani) gives a tour-de-force performance as she brings this glorious character to life.
An absolutely delightful, heart-warming, and surprisingly moving story about a Samoan woman’s relationship with a stray hen. The production features a marvellously entertaining central performance from Goretti Chadwick, and a gloriously puppeteered chicken.
Available to Tour
2021
Artform
Theatre, Drama
Audience
Suitable for audiences 10+
Duration
50 minutes
Minimum Stage
TBA
Previous Seasons
Circa, Wellington, 2018 (20 performances)
Dunedin Fringe, 2019 (3 performances)
Technical Specifications
What people are saying
“Still Life with Chickens is a masterfully crafted piece of sublime simplicity that captures the heart of our humanity.” Broadway World
“Mamea’s writing is lyrical and insightful and his portrayal of Mama is both familiar and touching.” New Zealand Herald
“Still Life with Chickens, although only an hour long, packs a punch of all things relevant to human existence.” Tearaway NZ
Key Audience
This prize-winning work is a beautiful, beguiling and very funny story about families, loneliness and how some friendships are just clucking surprising!
As a story about a Samoan woman and her connection to life and loss in her later years, this production is particularly suited to women aged 34-65+.
As a story rooted in Samoan and Pacific cultures, local pacific communities and media will be interested to see one of their own stories on local stages.
The themes will resonate especially with those who enjoy stories from Pacific island cultures, women, and families.
Awards
Winner of the Adam Play Award 2017
Outstanding new NZ Play
Wellington Theatre awards 2018
The Campion Accolade for Outstanding Performance
Goretti Chadwick
Wellington Theatre Awards 2018
Excellence Award for Performance
Goretti Chadwick
Auckland Theatre Awards 2018
Community Engagement
We would be very open to further conversations about potential community engagement activities and how we can engage especially with First Nations, Pacific Islander and Melanesian communities during the tour, pre & or post-performance, especially local Samoan communities.
The cast and puppeteer will also be available for workshops and masterclasses throughout the tour.