Paradise Rumour
Fresh from an American tour, Black Grace brings Paradise Rumour to New Zealand stages this March.
Founding Artistic Director Neil Ieremia ONZM introduces this latest performance as an extension of his 2009 work, Gathering Clouds, inspired by an economist’s paper on Pacific migration’s impact on New Zealand’s economy. The controversial claims deeply hurt the Pacific Island community in Aotearoa and fuelled xenophobic sentiments. The Human Rights Commission’s review of the paper labelled it poorly researched and prejudiced, acknowledging the harm caused.
“The provocation for Paradise Rumour,” Ieremia explains, “was based on the central question of, how far have we really come since then?” The performance transcends time and space, delving into the Pacific’s history since the arrival of missionaries. It intertwines personal and collective memories, weaving together themes of hope, resistance, sorrow, acceptance, control, release, faith, and crisis.
The production features six performers, including dancers Demi-Jo Manalo, Rodney Tyrell, and Faith Schuster, accompanied by an original soundtrack by Anonymouz.
Paradise Rumour is on at Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal on 17 March.