Unleashing Aotearoa's Monster: NZ Opera's Groundbreaking Premiere Of The Monster In The Maze
Written by acclaimed British composer Jonathan Dove (Mansfield Park, Flight, Marx in London) with libretto by Alasdair Middleton, The Monster in the Maze is a unique community opera that earned a British Composer Award in 2016.
Celebrated as one of the most successful contemporary operas of its kind globally, it was originally commissioned by prestigious institutions the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Festival d'Art Lyrique d'Aix-en-Provence. Since its premiere in 2015, the opera has garnered widespread acclaim and has been performed to great success around the world, in multiple languages.
Led by the creative powerhouse duo of Director Anapela Polata'ivao ONZM (Tīnā, Red White and Brass, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt) and Creative Producer Stacey Leilua (The Savage Coloniser Show, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, Young Rock), NZ Opera's The Monster in the Maze will be performed in English across Aotearoa New Zealand this September, offering a profound exploration of identity and cultural resonance.
The production brings together professional singers, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia and the Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus with large numbers of amateur, youth, and children's choirs and musicians, in a groundbreaking operatic collaboration with communities in each location.
The production marks the significant NZ Opera directorial debut for Anapela Polata'ivao. Reflecting on what drew her to The Monster in the Maze she explains: 'What attracted me was the community aspect. This is an incredible opportunity for our local choirs and community members to participate in a high-level, professional performance. This collaborative involvement not only enriches the storytelling but also fosters a sense of connection to the production's cultural themes and to each other, making it an inclusive and empowering experience for all participants and audiences.'
The Monster in the Maze opera reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, exploring themes such as resistance, justice, and the power of collectivism in a dramatic, Hunger Games-style, one-hour opera.
The narrative follows the aftermath of King Minos's victory over the Athenians, as he demands their youth as tribute to be fed to the terrifying Minotaur beast at the heart of his maze. Despite this, the tyrannical king soon discovers these youth are far from passive.
Crucially, this new production pays homage to the rich Pasifika heritage that profoundly shapes New Zealand's cultural tapestry, highlighting themes of displacement and resilience. The Athenian youth's journey from a warmer homeland to the cold, unforgiving land of Crete powerfully echoes the migration experiences of many Pacific peoples. In this Aotearoa-specific interpretation, Athens symbolises the warmth and familiarity of the islands, while Crete metaphorically becomes contemporary urban New Zealand, embodying the challenges and opportunities of arriving in a new land.
An exceptional, all-New Zealand cast star in the principal roles. Acclaimed UK-based mezzo-soprano Sarah Castle (Andrea Chénier, Semele, La Cenerentola) brings her powerful presence to the role of Mother. Popular baritone and 2018 Lexus Song Quest winner Joel Amosa (La Traviata, Mansfield Park, Rigoletto) steps into the role of maze architect Daedalus. Rising operatic talent Ipu Laga'aia, recently named NZ Opera Freemasons Foundation Company Artist for 2025, makes his professional operatic role debut as the hero Theseus. Completing the principal cast, versatile entertainer and actor Maaka Pohatu (Ngai Tāmanihiri, Tūwharetoa), known for The Modern Māori Quartet and screen roles in Happiness, Far North, and Wellington Paranormal, makes his NZ Opera debut as the vindictive King Minos.
Joining Anapela Polata'ivao and Stacey Leilua in the creative team, conductor Brad Cohen leads the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, and Brent Stewart conducts the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland respectively. The Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus, child, youth and adult community performers join the production in each city.
A highly innovative set, costume, and lighting design by Filament Eleven 11 (Rachel Marlow and Brad Gledhill) vividly transforms the worlds of Athens and Crete into a compelling contemporary setting. The design skillfully weaves local narratives into the production elements, showcasing Aotearoa's unique identity and its ongoing dialogue between traditional heritage and contemporary realities.
The Monster in the Maze begins its national tour in Christchurch at the start of September, before travelling to Wellington and Auckland for strictly limited seasons.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Sir Elton John set to perform at Steve Jobs' daughter's lavish wedding
'He will play a selection of his songs, including some of Eve and Harry's favourites. 'A concert from Elton doesn't come cheap. Apparently they've forked out over £1 million to have him perform. 'It's going to be incredibly special.' The couple – who began dating in 2022 and announced their engagement last September – have reportedly got quite the guest list for their 'upper-class English luxury with a cool, modern American vibe' wedding, which Eve and Harry have reportedly co-worked with celebrity events planner Stanlee Gatti, 69, to organise. Eve Jobs announced her engagement to British showjumping gold medallist Harry Charles in September. Photo / Getty Images It is claimed the former Democrat First Lady Kamala Harris, 60 – who is said to be very good friends with Laurence – will be attending, as well as Bruce Springsteen's daughter, American equestrian Jessica Springsteen, 33, and ex-Apple designer Sir Jony Ive, 58. The insider said: 'Kamala Harris, who ran for the [US] presidency last year, is very close friends with Laurene and is on the guest list. Kamala Harris is expected to attend the wedding. Photo / Getty Images 'This is a very quiet place, not far from the Cotswolds. Everyone is used to tourists and famous faces, but this is something else. 'The wedding is being planned like a military operation,' our insider said. 'The itinerary is scheduled so precisely, with guests starting to arrive all this week before the wedding celebrations begin on Thursday. 'Kamala and Bill Gates' daughters, Phoebe and Jennifer, are all on the VIP guest list. Bill Gates' daughter, Jennifer Gates, will also attend Eve Jobs' wedding. Photo / via Instagram 'Matt Helders from the Arctic Monkeys has been invited, too. It's an eclectic mix of stars and will be like a 'who's who' of the rich and famous. 'There are a lot of important American political figures going to be there. No doubt they'll all be Googling each other.' Eve's siblings – her brother Reed Jobs, 33, sister Erin Jobs, 29, and half-sister Lisa Brennan-Jobs, 47, who Steve had with his first wife Chrisann Brennan, 70 – are also expected to attend their wedding, with Harry's dad, London 2012 team jumping gold medallist Peter Charles, 65, and his close and extended family. A nearby village will go on lockdown from Wednesday – the day guests will reportedly fly into Oxford airport on their private jets, with helicopters on the ground ready to whisk them to the secret estate where Eve and Harry will say 'I do'. The source said: 'Eve and Harry's wedding is like a multimillion-pound fairy tale. 'It's a society wedding like no other, and it's turning rural Oxfordshire upside down. 'The sleepy village in which it's taking place feels like it's turning into a no-go zone, with secret service operatives and blokes who look like they work for the FBI.' One of the extravagant wedding venues in the Cotswolds. Photo / Getty Images And the insider claimed Eve, Harry, and Stanlee's organised event will be a wedding like no other. They added: 'Every final detail of the big day has been signed off by Eve and Harry, but this is Stanlee's baby. 'It's the meeting of two soulmates from across the Atlantic, and that will be reflected in the wedding, too. 'The vibe is upper-class English luxury with a cool, modern American vibe. It's going to be like nothing anyone at the wedding has experienced before.'
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Significant Art Sale Next Week
Press Release – International Art Centre A highly sought after art work by one of the country's most acclaimed painters of New Zealand bird life, is predicted to bring up to $750,000 when it is offered for sale for the first time in many years in Auckland next week. Don Binney, who died in 2012 aged 72, was an avid bird lover and his oil painting, Fatbird II, will be offered at an auction of Important and Rare Art at the International Art Centre in Parnell, Auckland, next week (subs: Tuesday, July 29). The sale also features numerous other works by renowned artists including New Zealand's Charles Frederick Goldie, Frances Hodgkins, Peter Siddell, and the world-acclaimed British street artist known only as Banksy. The signed and dated oil painting, Fatbird II was painted by Binney in 1964 and features a New Zealand native wood pigeon (kereru) swooping over two New Zealand tom tits, affectionately known at the time as fatbirds. International Art Centre director Richard Thomson, who will conduct the sale, said the Binney work had not been offered for sale for many years. He said Binney was known as a great innovator in the art world and Fatbird II, is considered to be an exemplary work from the greatest period of his art. He said like numerous Binney bird life paintings, in Fatbird II he has brought together stylised birds of two different species. The sale also included three works by Goldie, one of which has been described as an exceptional portrait of a 90-year-old kaumatua (respected Maori elder) and another of a respected 102-year-old Maori woman, said to be an exquisitely rendered image painted with an academic precision and deep reverence. Three works by the British street artist known only as Banksy include a screen print, estimated to bring up to $150,000. Mr Thomson said Banksy has a world-wide reputation for challenging social norms in his art work which often expose uncomfortable truths through his sharp and visually arresting style. City with Towered Houses, a 1974 painting and one of the two works by Peter Siddell, the New Zealand artist who died in 20111 aged 76, was expected to bring up to $200,000. 'Even in tight economic times art works of the style and quality we have listed in this sale, have always attracted a lot interest and we have been fielding calls from throughout New Zealand and other parts of the world, particularly for the Banksy and Goldie works,' Mr Thomson said.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Significant Art Sale Next Week
A highly sought after art work by one of the country's most acclaimed painters of New Zealand bird life, is predicted to bring up to $750,000 when it is offered for sale for the first time in many years in Auckland next week. Don Binney, who died in 2012 aged 72, was an avid bird lover and his oil painting, Fatbird II, will be offered at an auction of Important and Rare Art at the International Art Centre in Parnell, Auckland, next week (subs: Tuesday, July 29). The sale also features numerous other works by renowned artists including New Zealand's Charles Frederick Goldie, Frances Hodgkins, Peter Siddell, and the world-acclaimed British street artist known only as Banksy. The signed and dated oil painting, Fatbird II was painted by Binney in 1964 and features a New Zealand native wood pigeon (kereru) swooping over two New Zealand tom tits, affectionately known at the time as fatbirds. International Art Centre director Richard Thomson, who will conduct the sale, said the Binney work had not been offered for sale for many years. He said Binney was known as a great innovator in the art world and Fatbird II, is considered to be an exemplary work from the greatest period of his art. He said like numerous Binney bird life paintings, in Fatbird II he has brought together stylised birds of two different species. The sale also included three works by Goldie, one of which has been described as an exceptional portrait of a 90-year-old kaumatua (respected Maori elder) and another of a respected 102-year-old Maori woman, said to be an exquisitely rendered image painted with an academic precision and deep reverence. Three works by the British street artist known only as Banksy include a screen print, estimated to bring up to $150,000. Mr Thomson said Banksy has a world-wide reputation for challenging social norms in his art work which often expose uncomfortable truths through his sharp and visually arresting style. City with Towered Houses, a 1974 painting and one of the two works by Peter Siddell, the New Zealand artist who died in 20111 aged 76, was expected to bring up to $200,000. 'Even in tight economic times art works of the style and quality we have listed in this sale, have always attracted a lot interest and we have been fielding calls from throughout New Zealand and other parts of the world, particularly for the Banksy and Goldie works,' Mr Thomson said.
