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Where We Once Belonged (2008)

Auckland Theatre Company Production 2008

Samoan author Sia Figiel’s 1997 novel adapted by playwright Dave Armstrong and directed by Colin McColl as a commissioned play for the 2008 New Zealand International Festival of
the Arts.

Visually my treatment takes a minimalist approach where playing on familiar elements was integral to the overall concept, which required to be intrinsically Samoan yet relatable and universal in form between Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Samoa.

In finalising the set design I chose the more familiar Pacific Palm Frond simply translating the form metaphorically between line and light by selecting the use of transparent materials for construction in abstractly mimicking the traditional Fale form

Images courtesy of Tony Rabbit