Niu Sila - a tale of enduring cross-cultural friendship

Our talented Year 12 and 13 drama students are bringing the iconic New Zealand play Niu Sila to life—with a bold and creative twist.

The play centres on Peter (a palagi/pākehā boy) and Ioane (a Samoan boy), close friends who grow up together in the 70s, but ultimately have very different life trajectories. Traditionally performed by just two actors who portray the entire cast, including the central characters, in our production, multiple actors will portray Peter and Ioane at different stages of their lives:

• Early childhood: Arlo Lorien-King and Clarissa Paulus

• Older children: Maddie Tomilap and Lola Kelleher

• Teenage years: Jalana Jayawardena and Finn Hall

• Adulthood: Gideon Vaopunimatagi and Liam Presling

  
  

The production’s cultural depth extends beyond the script. Under the guidance of Hamida Kapsin-Ali, our Year 10 drama students have crafted traditional Samoan Siapo cloth to feature in the set design. They dyed the fabric to achieve an authentic look and used handmade stencils to imprint intricate patterns inspired by real Siapo motifs.

“We used natural colours and traditional designs, which helped us appreciate the time and care that goes into making Siapo. It was a fun and creative experience,” says Chakshani Goyal.

“I loved making mine and can’t wait to see it on stage,” adds Leila Eketone.

“I knew what Siapo was, but had no idea how long and detailed the process was until we started. Each strip took weeks to complete,” shares Tess Robinson.

------------------

Arlo says Niu Sila is a beautiful story about the "sweetness" of friendship, but also the painful reality of deep-seated racism. Ultimately, it "celebrates the rich diversity of cultures here, creating a vibrant kaleidoscope of humanity that’s a joy to experience.”

Come enjoy the students’ hard work and creativity at the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) on Thursday 11 September at 7 PM. Entry is by koha.