Think of a night at the theatre, and belly laughs via a colourful, hairspray-spiked ’90s aerobics dance-off don’t immediately spring to mind.
But that just might be why Auckland Theatre Company’s new work, Hyperspace, is so appealing.
A high-energy blast from the past, the unique show tells the story of small-town Natalie (played by Te Ao o Hinepehinga), who reluctantly links up with haka queen Tāwhai (Kruze Tangira), to follow her dreams of being a dancer, by way of taking out the 1990 NZ Aerobics Championship.
Playwright Albert Belz took home the prestigious 2023 Adam NZ Play Award for Hyperspace (formerly known as Supernova), the sequel to the much-loved Astroman, presented in 2019 and directed by Tainui Tukiwaho. The pair join forces again along with a throng of aerobics diehards to deliver an upbeat and laugh-out-loud production.
In the tradition of the best dance movies, the work is set in the world of performance, but not expressly about it, instead exploring fierce friendships, unbreakable family bonds, and the passion needed to risk everything to follow your heart’s desires.
Of course there are plenty of electric dance moves along the way, in a very funny and moving show, the first of Auckland Theatre Company’s 2024 season.
Though she was only a baby during the era, lead Te Ao o Hinepehinga’s childhood gave her a clear blueprint for the role, her return to the stage after several years working in film and TV, including Head High, Shortland Street and upcoming film Chief of War.
“My mum was a breakdancer, so ’90s hip-hop is my favorite thing,” she laughs, recalling relatives busting moves in the shed on a black-and-white lino with a boombox blasting in the corner.
“My godmother was also super into aerobics when I was a kid, so [the show] ticks all of the happy boxes for me.”
Growing up on a marae and performing kapa haka for as long as she can remember also gave her a firm grounding. Hyperspace masterfully weaves elements of the traditional Māori performance alongside the aerobics thanks to choreography by dance luminary Jack Gray.
“I think anything that he produces will be captivating and fun-loving and draw the audience in,” says Te Ao of Gray, who has an extensive contemporary dance career and is co-founder and Artistic Director of Māori contemporary dance company Atamira.
“He himself has done aerobics and was part of the aerobics movement in the ’90s [Gray once took out the title of NZ Aerobics Champion] so he’s the perfect person to really get everyone in that groove and that energy,” she adds.
Te Ao is excited Hyperspace has Māori culture at its heart in a way we don’t often get to see. Although she underlines the importance of previous works like The Haka Party Incident and Witi’s Wāhine, there is room for playfulness too. “This is fun, this is lively. The side of our Māori community that you don’t always get to see, we don’t always talk about. We’re still trying to tell our Indigenous stories. So I’m really excited for the audience to see a vibrant, lively side of our world and our people.”
And aerobics is inherently funny, with its bright smiles and big moves. “Aerobics allows you to be silly,” agrees Te Ao, saying giving up a desire to be ‘cool’ is freeing and fun. “You can be cheesy, you can be big, you can be wild and you can be exuberant. Be the centre of attention and it’s totally okay.”
Sharing the stage with Kruze Tangira is another draw. Te Ao says even after sharing only brief sweat-filled dance boot camps in rehearsals so far, she suspects she has her work cut out keeping up. Though Te Ao has years of samba training under her belt, multi-talented Te Karere presenter Tangira is also New Zealand men’s netball captain. “His energy and his aroha, everything about him is such a beautiful energy to be around and to witness. I think he’s going to leave me in the dust!”
Photography by: Andi Crown.
