Brown Sugar, a play directed by Otago Performing Arts student Basim Kafoa, tells the story of four Pacific women flatting together for the first time. Pictured are Otago tauira, from left, Leah Faitonu, Loreal Filifilia and Esiteri Kacivi, with Kalisi Laveti Waqa in the back. The play opens tonight at the Playhouse Theatre in Dunedin.
The highs and lows of a group of Pacific flatmates will take centre stage at the Fringe Festival tonight.
Brown Sugar, a play directed by second year Pacific Performing Arts student Basim Kafoa, tells the story of four Pacific women flatting together for the first time. They are played by Otago tauira Kalisi Laveti-Waqa (Pacific Studies), Leah Faitonu (Psychology), Esiteri Kacivi (Community Health Care) and Loreal Urika-Filifilia (Genetics).
Kalisi, who plays Beatrice, says the play captures both the humour and challenges that come from living closely with friends while studying.
“The show explores the highs and lows of flatting, while also highlighting how forced proximity can strengthen relationships.”
Having lived in an all-girls Islander flat herself, many moments in the play feel familiar, she says.
“In a lot of ways, the show does a good job at capturing what an average week in a Dunedin student flat can look like: planning outings, figuring out costumes and outfits for parties, running errands together, or even something as simple as having a movie night.”
Importantly, Kalisi says the show focuses on everyday experiences rather than stereotypes.
“The thing with Brown Sugar that I especially love is the fact that the characters being Islander isn’t the selling point. The show is literally about people living their lives and they just happen to be Islander.”
In saying that, the show is also a chance to create opportunities for Pacific students who may not usually see themselves in theatre spaces, she says.
“After spending more time working with Basim, I came to understand his wider vision of shaking up and bringing more colour to the performing arts space in Dunedin.
“He often reiterates that this show is, in many ways, his gift to Pacific students at the University of Otago.”
Basim, who is also the director of the Migrated Creations company, invited Kalisi to join the cast after they had met only a couple of times, she says.
“One day he randomly came up to me and asked if I would be interested in being a part of Brown Sugar. I was so excited by the offer that I accepted almost immediately.”
The cast rehearses for the upcoming show, excited to create a space where Pacific students can explore their creativity and build community.
Balancing rehearsals with University life has required commitment from the cast, who meet regularly while managing study and work schedules, Kalisi says.
“We usually meet three to five times a week. We typically begin with an opening prayer, followed by a ‘check-in’.
“Whatever is shared during this moment is essentially ‘left at the door’, allowing us to enter the rehearsal space with a clear mind and focus fully on the work for the next few hours.”
For the performers, bringing Pacific perspectives to the Fringe stage is both exciting and meaningful.
“I am so happy that our Pasifika peoples are breaking into this space and taking those steps to take up space.
“This production has been about creating space for Pacific students to explore creativity and build community.”
Audiences that come to Brown Sugar can expect humour, relatability and moments that reflect real student life, Kalisi says.
“As you watch the show and get to know the characters one by one, I can guarantee you are going to be reminded of someone in your personal life, even if it’s yourself!”
*Brown Sugar opens tonight at the Playhouse Theatre and will also run on 14, 18, and 20 March
- Talanoa by Viena Faiva, Pacific Communications Adviser
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