Auntie's Fiafia Night | Casus Circus
Pasifika greetings echo through the South Bank Piazza as the radiant host of the show Lana Tukaroa welcomes all to Auntie’s Fiafia Night! Directed by the talented Natano Fa'anana.
As a wahine from Moana Nui A Kiwa this is like a warm welcome home, after a long time away. The friendly and inviting energy of the crowd and cast set the stage for what was going to be a spectacular night of storytelling and contemporary circus!
In this star-studded show with over 80 performers, I was taken on a vibrant high spirited roundtrip through the South Pacific, all the while never leaving my city and paying one tenth of the price of a plane ticket! Kia Ora!
As we all take our seats, the lights dim and the ancient drums of the Pacific vibrate through everyone's spirit and we know the story has begun. We sit back, with hands on our hearts open to whatever is going to take place. Sacred sounds move me through the waters of the show and I am blown away by the musical score and production by PNG artist Airileke accompanied by the traditional and contemporary sounds of the bands Pāte drummers.
For context seated to the side of the stage is the amazing matriarch of aunties who all these performances were dedicated too.
This image & cover image: Creative Futures Photography.
This is the most impactful part of the show. Imagine two powerful women with vibrant flower covered moomoos, fanning themselves with woven fans, and big palm leaf plant beside them, laughing and gesturing as the performers take turns trying to earn a smile from them all night long. This shows just how respected elders and women are in Pasifika culture and that was an amazing take away for those who may not be of that background/culture.
Mid way through the show after we had seen mind blowing performances from Kapa Haka group Te Tai Mauri with their eerie songs of their ancient spiritual homeland Hawaiki, Heilani Cook island collective with their cohesive flows and rainbow feathered costumes and more.
The most unexpected and iconic part of the show took place.
None other than Ellaganza and The House of Alexander.
Through the medium of Voguing, ballroom and choreography, the one of a kind performance consisted of splits, dips, twirls.
Dance moves that were symmetrical, free flowing with to die for costumes!
A huge woven mat as long as the stage is held by members of the house as others are revealed in front of it behind smaller mats striking poses as the crowd cheehoos and whistles for the vixens of the house! Standing ovation!
Image: Creative Futures Photography
Interwoven into the show is jaw dropping stunts performed by Casus Circus and all I can say is Mauri Ora! It brings excitement and wonder through every movement and leaves you wanting more. Each performer is reflecting such raw emotion while embodying gravity defying stunts and tricks. The crowd gasps at Casus Circus and cheers fiercely every time without fail.
Through slaps, claps, sounds of shells, bare feet, oil slathered skin and laughter, we end our journey of the night by song as the whole 80 member + cast harmonizes vocals which brings a feeling of deep peace over me. I am reminded I am just where I need to be. Surrounded by community, held by the strength of the ancestors and reflecting on honouring the matriarchs in my life. This is a production beyond ego, it is a insight into the magic that is the south Pacific and the values that they uphold. Family friendly, Aunty’s Fiafia Night is one to remember and reflect upon.
