A beautifully written and performed two-hander that boasts a strong Māori voice, Back to Te Maunga is a meditation on regret, grief and the unbreakable bonds of male friendship.
Set in an isolated hunting cabin in rural New Zealand, the story revolves around the verbose and larger-than-life Tāne (Joe Dekkers-Reihana) waiting patiently for old friend Isaac (Jordan Selwyn) to arrive, for a long-overdue reunion and to enjoy a hearty meal comprised of the wild pig that Tāne has just caught. Having left his community many years earlier for a new life in London, Isaac’s homecoming is one that forces him to confront his past.
Instantly we see both the similarities and differences in these two friends, through their connection to their culture, the regrets they have about their pasts, their hopes for the future, as well as some unresolved guilt about a late friend who they both have issues with regarding his tragic fate.
It’s the performances of Dekkers-Reihana and Selwyn that really make playwright Joel Te Teira’s script sing, with beautifully nuanced and instantly believable performances from both performers. Within minutes the audience gets a perfect sense of who these two men are, and their connection as friends is beautifully conveyed, with the rough and tumble Tāne contrasting well with the urbane Isaac.
While it delves into serious themes at times, it’s ultimately an uplifting and positive story about mateship, sensitively handling the darker subject matter it covers but at the same time finding moments of levity and humour to balance it out. And while it has a lot of discussion about Māori traditions and beliefs, the intent and significance of these elements of the story are well conveyed to non-Māori viewers.
Dekkers-Reihana and Selwyn have a great chemistry, and I’d be shocked if they weren’t good mates in real life for how well they play their roles with such honesty and truthfulness. Te Teira’s script gives them lots of great banter to dive into, with some moments of comedic confusion between the two featuring some sparkling dialogue.
Director Keegan Bragg’s expert direction keeps the focus squarely on the two leads, with the show achieving a rare intimacy in that we feel like we’re sitting in the shack right alongside Tāne and Isaac. Zoë Rouse has designed an impressive set as well, with intricate detail and a lived-in feel to the surroundings. And while the show is not a musical, there are some welcome musical interludes that provide a nice counterbalance to some of the heavier dramatic scenes, as Isaac and Tāne share in the occasional sing-along.
Back to Te Maunga is a fantastic achievement, analysing mateship and what ties us to our community through the eyes of two modern Māori mates.
Playing at La Mama Courthouse Theatre, Carlton until March 22
Tickets and more information at lamama.com.au/back-to-te-maunga
4/5 stars
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 