Tempest II

MAU takes Shakespeare's valedictory play as a starting point to explore cultural imperialism in their version of The Tempest, created by the company and led by artistic director Lemi Ponifasio.

With Shakespeare's words replaced by chanting and ritualistic singing, ideas of rebirth and enchantment are further encapsulated by the stunning choreography partly inspired by traditional Pacific dances and Helen Todd's innovative minimalist lighting design. However, by setting the action specifically in their South Pacific island home, MAU's Tempest II also stands as a critique of colonialism. Meaning both 'vision' and 'revolution' in Samoan, MAU take their name from the slogan of the Samoan resistance movement, and here they reinterpret the most famous writer in the English language from the perspective of an indigenous people striving to protect their culture against the Western media onslaught.