Performed in Māori with English subtitles, as part of the 2012 Globe to Globe Festival.

Rawiri Paratene’s production of Troilus and Cressida opened the historic Globe to Globe Festival in 2012. In an exquisite translation by Te Haumihiata Mason, the production incorporates many aspects of Māori culture; the haka (warrior dance) and waiata (song), especially created by the best composers and choreographers of Aotearoa. Tihei mauri ora!

Synopsis

Seven years into the Trojan War, the Greeks despair over Achilles’ refusal to fight. In Troy, Prince Troilus, brother of Hector and Paris, who loves Cressida, enlists the help of her bawdy uncle Pandarus in uniting them. To Troilus’ fury Cressida is politically traded to the Greeks and becomes the mistress of Diomedes. The death of Patroclus spurs Achilles to fight and an unarmed Hector is murdered. Troilus, anguished over the loss of Cressida and the inevitable loss of Troy, vows revenge on Achilles.