Hot off the heels of the Venice Biennale Danza and The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, acclaimed choreographer Oli Mathiesen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu) brings his distinctive voice in this first full-length commission by Atamira Dance Company — the tuakana platform for Māori contemporary dance.
A bold takatāpui rebirth of the Village People, YMCĀ parallels the pop culture icons through a cast caught between character and confession; a discography of performed identities that interrogate the archetypes, the macho men, and the staging of queerness and indigeneity. 1970s luxe meets 18th-century bloodshed — a disco interior with a cultural inferior.
Alluring, camp-soaked, and unapologetically original, YMCĀ invites audiences into a world where appropriation has never looked so good.
CREDITS:
Kaitito Nekehanga | Choreographer: Oli Mathiesen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu)
Kaikanikani | Dance Artists: Abbie Rogers (Kāi Tahu, Te Arawa), Caleb Heke (Ngāpuhi), Madison Tumataroa (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pāhauwera), Sharvon Mortimer (Ngāti Porou), Tai Taranui Hemana (Te Arawa), Toalei Pearl (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kauwhata)
Kaihoahoa, Kaiwhakahaere Hanga Hotaka | Production Design & Management: Filament Eleven 11
Whakatairanga | Campaign
Creative Direction: Kaan Hiini (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa)
Photography: Sophie Miya-Smith
Videography: Benj Brooking (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tamanuhiri)
Te Kāhui o Atamira | Atamira Management
Kaihautū | Director: Bianca Hyslop (Te Arawa)
Kaiwhakahaere | General Manager: Ashley M. David
Kaiwhakaputa Auaha | Creative Producer: Marama Lloydd (Ngāpuhi, Te Tahawai, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu)
Kaiwhakaputa Tairanga, Ako | Marketing and Education Producer: Abbie Rogers (Kāi Tahu, Te Arawa)
Local tip
He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Arrive early and enjoy a drink or meal at Citizen Q before the show. Check your ticket carefully, as Q Theatre has several performance spaces across different levels.
Getting there
Te huarahi ki reira
Q Theatre is at 305 Queen Street, a short walk from Te Waihorotiu Station. Frequent buses stop nearby, while paid parking, including mobility spaces, is available at The Civic Car Park.
For more transport information, check out our Getting Around page.
More info
He pārongo atu anō
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