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Explore the rich historical overview of theatre in Aotearoa/New Zealand, from Polynesian exploration to European colonization, tracing the development through colonial drama, postcolonial consciousness, and the flourishing of Maori dramatic literature. Learn about the diverse voices, cultural shifts, and exploration of new theatrical territories that have shaped the nation's performance landscape.
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Polynesian Exploration • ancestors of the Maori arrived in Aotearoa from East Polynesia c.800 CE • Aotearoa = “Land of the Long White Cloud” • established tribal kin groups • remained undisturbed until first European explorers arrived in 17C
European ExplorationAbel Tasman, 1642 • From Holland • employee of the Dutch East Indies Company • Searching for Terra Australis Incognita, the legendary, rich southern land • Encountered Aotearoa, called it “Nieuw Zeeland” after the Dutch province
James Cook, 1769 • British sailor and navigator • also sent to search for southern land, but proved it didn’t exist • circumnavigated Aotearoa/New Zealand • interaction and trade with local Maori • first complete map
Navigation --> • Trade --> • Industry & commerce --> • Missionaries --> • Christian settlement --> • Immigrants --> • Systematic colonization
European Immigration 19C • European settlement from 1830s • “Britain of the South” • “classless society” • opportunity to start new lives • evangelical influence: “humane colonization”
Drama in Aotearoa/New Zealand • Three general periods: • 19C Colonial drama • 1900-1945 Amateur period • Post-1945 Postcolonial dramatic consciousness
19C Drama of Colonization • 1850-1900 was a period in which the dramatic text was not particularly valued as literature • early theatrical activity was a showcase for “Old World” fashion • developing cities; military camps; goldfields • farces, melodramas, Shakespeare festivals, variety performances, musicals, local satirical dramas • “scenic spectaculars” (1870s-1890s) • end of 19C = first sense of emergent local identity
Amateur Movement, 1900-1945 • rapid increase in amateur theatre • Repertory Theatres in most cities • British Drama League • University drama societies • realism; national identity • Mulgan, Three Plays of New Zealand (1920) • The Workers’ Theatre (late 1930s)
Early Postcolonial Period • After WWII, cultural dictates of parent culture begin to be questioned; more complex probing of cultural identity • distinct signs of change in theatrical environment • writers in other genres exploring possibilities of the stage • mid-1960s: Community Theatres established, encouraged new generation of professional dramatists
Late Postcolonial Period • 1975: International Women’s Year; Maori Land March • time of social change: “Maori Renaissance” • post-1975 a new era in NZ literature. Flourishing of women, Maori, gay and lesbian writers; writing by other ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Pacific Island. • drama becomes increasingly diverse; minority voices and marginalized groups acknowledged; new issues explored; new modes of theatrical experimentation introduced
Maori Dramatic Literature • oral traditions until European settlement (inc. performance) • 1815 Maori orthography • writing and print = profound social change • emphasis on English • by 1970s, fears that spoken Maori might be dying out • revival programs; literacy for pedagogical purposes
Four “Stages” of Maori Drama • 1. (1960s/1970s) Assimilation, conforming to Pakeha models. Works mostly in English. • 2. (late 1970s) Questioning of cultural constructs, elements of resistance. • 3. (1980s) Resistance/revolt. Works that address loss of cultural heritage, openly condemning Pakeha intervention. “Confrontational” use of Maori language. • 4. (1990s - present) New generation of dramatists taking different position in relation to polycultural society; asking new questions; Maori language used as tool for articulating new perspectives.
