The Bone Feeder

In a nutshell:
HISTORY, TIKANGA AND NARRATIVE UNRAVEL THE TIES THAT BIND •
INTERWOVEN WESTERN, MĀORI AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTATION

COMPOSER GARETH FARR
LIBRETTO RENEE LIANG
DIRECTOR SARA BRODIE
CONDUCTOR PETER SCHOLES
MŌTEATEA HONE HURIHANGANUI
SET DESIGN JOHN VERRYT
COSTUME DESIGN ELIZABETH WHITING
LIGHTING DESIGN JANE HAKARAIA

The Bonefeeder is a contemporary reworking of the historical sinking of the SS Ventnor. In 1902 the coffins of 499 Chinese sojourners from Otago and Wellington, being repatriated to their home towns in China, were lost when the Ventnor wrecked near the Hokianga Harbour.

When the bones of Chinese wanderers float, lost on the vast black of the sea and then come to rest on the shores of the Hokianga, they become embedded in the spirit and memory of the harbour, entwined in a story that soars across lands and oceans, deep into the heart of who we all are.

This interesting and easliy accessible new opera, beautifully and imaginatively scored by Gareth Farr and written by poet and playwright Renee Liang, explores the mysteries, traumas and gifts of migration, home and belonging.

Ben, a young man who seeks the lost bones of his great great grandfather so he can bring them home, is guided by a magical cicada and a Māori Ferryman. He crosses to 'the other side', where ghosts reveal secrets of love, loss and betrayal. His attempt to uncover his ancestor's bones disturbs the earth and, ultimately, threatens his life.

Kwan, who emigrates to NZ in the 1800s has to decide where he belongs.

The play is a fictional exploration of what is a very real and significant piece of history for many Chinese New Zealanders depicting one of the first moments of contact between Maori and Chinese. 

Directed by Sara Brodie and conducted by Peter Scholes, the opera takes Gareth Farr’s unique combination of Western, Māori and Chinese instruments to create sweeping beautiful and playful music sung in English, Māori and Cantonese.

Slip through the gateway between East and West, reality and myth, past and present and encounter music and a story never before experienced on a New Zealand stage.

Years 12-13
BOOK HERE

Extras for teachers 
Synopsis, Themes and Bios
Radio Interview with Renee Liang

Photograph: John McDermott Photography

POST SHOW TALK
Friday 24 March


DOWNLOAD THE BONE FEEDER LIBRETTO HERE

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PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH

 

 

WITH SUPPORT FROM 

SIR RODERICK AND GILLIAN, LADY DEANE
SIR JAMES WALLACE - THE WALLACE FOUNDATION
BILL AND FRANCES BELL

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