My Own Darling by Grace Taylor
A gem collected in South Auckland
If you were told there was a 'must see' stage show in South Auckland that's really a bunch of poetry and that a self-confessed 'non-actor' poet is at the centre of the show, you might be forgiven for feeling some reticence - especially if you think you are not 'into' poetry. Auckland Theatre Company's production of My Own Darling, by spoken word poet Grace Taylor is a brilliant gem that will turn all that on its head.
My Own Darling is the second live recording from Radio New Zealand Drama in its Live on Stage Now initiative - the first was Wings by Jess Sayer, recorded live in Palmerston North. For RNZ Drama it's all about getting out and connecting with new and exciting new works on stage while they're actually on the stage. It's about helping to give new works the larger life they deserve. But it's also about capturing the special feel and energy that you can only get in the live performance situation. So far, so very, very good - what with Wings and now, My Own Darling.
My Own Darling is full of grit and love and intimate self-effacing humour - all delivered on a shining train of brilliant words. It's a testament to the power of high-level creative collaboration between a true wordsmith and a dedicated creative team: director, designers, cast and crew.
The audio for My Own Darling is presently unavailable
Some pics from the recording of My Own Darling
Grace Taylor at the mic in Mangere Photo: RNZ
About the writer
Grace Taylor is a leading light in the Rising Voices spoken word poetry movement. She was the recipient of the 2014 Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Award for an Emerging Pacific Artist and a passionate advocate for the rights of young people. She made her directorial debut last year with the moving and unflinching Skin for Auckland Theatre Company's Youth Season.
As a spoken word poet, teaching artist and youth development worker Grace Taylor believes in the empowerment through words - in particular through creative manifestations - and in providing spaces for people to tell their own stories. Her poetry ciphers strongly around dialogues about identity. She believes that the exploration of a sense of belonging is underestimated in many facets of society.
Credits
An Auckland Theatre Company production recorded live at Mangere Arts Centre, Mangere, Auckland, Monday 19 October 2015
Featuring Grace Taylor as Writer/Teuila, Fasitua Amosa as Man from Maunga/Lady Next Door, Gaby Solomona as Grit Girl/The Patron
Stage direction by Mia Blake
Sound design by Anonymouz, stage set by Jessika Verryt, lighting by Rachel Marlow, costumes by Laura Marsh
Recording director for RNZ – Jason Te Kare
Recording engineer – Darryl Stack
