In this podcast writer/director Ronald Trifero Nelson and co-producer Ahi Karunaharan talk about the second season of Mates and Lovers - a play based around historical events in queer New Zealand.
Summary
This abstract summarizes an interview with Ronald Trifero Nelson and Ahi Karunaharan, conducted by Gareth Watkins about their engagement in bringing to life the second season of "Mates and Lovers," a play that captures the historical narrative of queer experiences in New Zealand. "Mates and Lovers" derives its story from a book which won the Montana Award, and its uniqueness preempts it as the first of its kind to chronicle the gay history in the context of New Zealand's dramatic arts.
In the conversation, Nelson details the wide-ranging modifications and enhancements leading into the second season of the play, which include a fresh cast, an updated script, new choreography, music, and venues. The play's second run was in part spurred by the community's demand, showing both a cultural and artistic appetite for the queer-themed story. Karunaharan emphasizes the significance of promoting New Zealand work and the historical elements of the gay community, which offer dual reflections of their creative and representational ethos.
The discussion traverses the development process for the new iteration of the play, right from casting to production logistics. With unconventional casting choices, the play seeks to present New Zealand's gay history with earnestness and resonance. The interviews detail audition anecdotes, emphasizing the challenges faced in reconciling the characters' stature with acting prowess, and the quest for an actor with the ability to dance—a critical component given the new choreography component by Ty Royal.
The interviewees recount an incident during a publicity photo shoot which reflects the persisting societal discomfort with public displays of queer affection, juxtaposed against the reception from a group of enthusiastic young spectators. This contrast underlines the ongoing societal tensions surrounding homosexuality in New Zealand, despite legal advances like homosexual law reform, and underpins the play's relevance.
Concerns about funding and support for queer-led artistic ventures surface as critical themes. Despite the inherent difficulties, the production team has leveraged their successful first season to establish relationships and further their mission. The interviewees discuss the strategic utilization of contra deals, the formation of a charitable trust for their company, and navigating the demands of managing a business alongside artistic creation.
The team harbors ambitions to perform in various New Zealand locales, including smaller cities and rural areas, aiming for broader engagement with their innovative theatrical work. This goal poses logistical and funding challenges, particularly when approaching potential sponsors who may question the relatability of a "gay play" to a straight audience.
The narrative culminates in reflections on plans for future productions, alluding to a potential show that would involve addressing severe issues affecting the queer community, like HIV and suicide, with a focus on reaching school audiences. Through the recounted challenges and triumphs, the interview paints a vivid picture of passionate artists striving to fuse New Zealand's queer history with contemporary theater while navigating societal and commercial landscapes.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
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