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Samoan theatre takes centre stage in Melbourne to tell creation story

Photo: Tavai Faasavalu rehearses lines in front of other members of the troupe. (ABC: Jarni Blakkarly)

Samoan actors and singers are set to take to the stage in Melbourne, with one of the biggest shows from the Pacific Islander theatre community in Australia.

The play, "Amataga O Le Alofa" or "The Beginning of Love", is an original take on the Samoan creation myth.

Rita Seumanutafa, founder of the Pacific Island Creative Arts Australia (PICAA) production company, said it was a rare opportunity for Pacific Island actors wanting experience on stage.

"The writer, the director, the singers, the actors: we're all here because we want to start our CVs as creative artists in Australia," she said.

The performance tells the story of three heavenly gods who have a falling out when one decides to create the sea and islands that are Samoa.

Ms Semuanutafa, who is also an academic studying the history of Samoan music, said singing had always played a central role in the Samoan community.

"When a Samoan child is brought up in their Samoan environment, we learn so many creative ways of living," she said.

Production brings together scattered Samoan community

Multicultural Arts Victoria contributed funding to put on the production, which PICAA is performing in two Melbourne suburbs with large Pacific Islander communities.

- See more at: http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/samoan-theatre-takes-centre-stage-me...

Samoan actors and singers are set to take to the stage in Melbourne, with one of the biggest shows from the Pacific Islander theatre community in Australia.

The play, "Amataga O Le Alofa" or "The Beginning of Love", is an original take on the Samoan creation myth.

Rita Seumanutafa, founder of the Pacific Island Creative Arts Australia (PICAA) production company, said it was a rare opportunity for Pacific Island actors wanting experience on stage.

"The writer, the director, the singers, the actors: we're all here because we want to start our CVs as creative artists in Australia," she said.

The performance tells the story of three heavenly gods who have a falling out when one decides to create the sea and islands that are Samoa.

Ms Semuanutafa, who is also an academic studying the history of Samoan music, said singing had always played a central role in the Samoan community.

"When a Samoan child is brought up in their Samoan environment, we learn so many creative ways of living," she said.

Production brings together scattered Samoan community

Multicultural Arts Victoria contributed funding to put on the production, which PICAA is performing in two Melbourne suburbs with large Pacific Islander communities.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-25/samoan-theatre-hits-centre-stage-in-melbourne/7874522

Read more at ABC.net.au