He Pūranga | Past Projects
The Landeaters
November 2015
theatre lab, massey university
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Development Season
In 2015, Te Rākau presented the development season of Helen Pearse-Otene’s The Landeaters at Massey University's Theatre Lab in Te Whanaganui-a-Tara (Wellington), New Zealand.
Entangled in the roots of a beloved willow tree
- where the ancient ones reside -
somewhere just between today and tomorrow
an old man and his roots
are digging in against
The Landeaters
Wayne Tinkerman, after months of wrangling with red-tape and a disgruntled community, has finally landed his prize - demolition has begun, making way for his new subdivision on Wellington’s south coast. All that stands in his way now is an ancient willow tree and a stubborn old man.
Harry Kenning has taken up residence in the roots of that willow tree, cocooned in all that remains of his family’s homestead and his people’s lands at Te Miti. The Vietnam war veteran shows no sign of retreat, even as the earthmovers arrive on his doorstep.
Resources
In 2015, The Landeaters was performed in repertory at Te Papa Tongarewa as part of The Undertow series.
You can get your own copy of The Landeaters or watch the television series online.