In January, the Sydney Festival brings to Sydney a rare opportunity to see the first Australian performances of this work by Pacific culture warrior
Lemi Ponifasio.

Tempest: Without a Body is a powerful, visually ravishing and apocalyptic
response to the sinister escalation of post-9/11 state powers. From a thematic departure point of Shakespeare’s Tempest, this formidable work merges authentic traditional movement, video imagery and political content through direct reference to the arrest of Ahmed Zaoui and featuring an extraordinary appearance by the Maori activist Tame Iti.

Now based in New Zealand, Lemi Ponifasio was born in the village of Lano, Samoa.  He founded MAU in 1995, naming it after the Samoan independence movement Mau (meaning revolution).

His work has been presented throughout the Pacific region as well as at major international arts festivals including  Venice Biennale, Hollad Festival, Vienna Festival and Theater der Welt in Germany.

Each MAU work is a reinforcement of the aesthetic values and philosophies of the Pacific peoples and a deeply felt personal statement. The works exist in a state of ritual and ceremony and in between the elements of dance, theatre, oratory and visual arts. Tempest: Without a Body premiered in Vienna at Peter Sellars’ 2007 New Crowned Hope Festival.

After Sydney Festival it tours to European theatres including Theatre de la Ville in Paris and De Singel in Antwerp.

Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre Dates:   January 10 at 1pm, 8pm.  See What’s On for full details.