Fresh off the Boat
(what a crasy country!)

by Oscar Kightley and Simon Small

"Would Samoans be Naked or the Bros be in Town if it weren't for Pacific Underground?" asks Felolini Maria Ifopo in the latest Spasifik Magazine.

Pacific Underground's groundbreaking play Fresh Off the Boat, written by Oscar Kightley and Simon Small, which examines the tragi-comic trials and tribulations of an immigrant family and their attempts to make sense of their new home - Samoan life in the Big Smoke - has been published at long last, by The Play Press.

Image: Michael Hodgson, Erolia Ifopo, Tanya Muagututi'a, David Fane, Mishelle Muagututi'a, Oscar KightleyFresh off the Boat
(what a crasy country!)

by Oscar Kightley and Simon Small

"Would Samoans be Naked or the Bros be in Town if it weren't for Pacific Underground?" asks Felolini Maria Ifopo in the latest Spasifik Magazine.

Pacific Underground's groundbreaking play Fresh Off the Boat, written by Oscar Kightley and Simon Small, which examines the tragi-comic trials and tribulations of an immigrant family and their attempts to make sense of their new home - Samoan life in the Big Smoke - has been published at long last, by The Play Press.

Image: Michael Hodgson, Erolia Ifopo, Tanya Muagututi'a, David Fane, Mishelle Muagututi'a, Oscar KightleyIt will be launched on 4th February at the Lima Pacific Arts Festival In Christchurch.

"They made it cool to be fresh. They made it cool to remember where we come from. And they made it cool for brownies to be centre stage. Ten years ago Pacific Underground challenged New Zealand audiences to open their minds to a new wave in theatre. Suddenly, new characters with a different history, accent and worldview stepped onto mainstream stages." Spasifik Magazine

Fresh Off the Boat was a huge hit, performed all over the country as well as Samoa and Brisbane, and broadcast as a radio play in New Zealand and Australia. Reviewers raved, with remarks such as "Fresh off the Boat has reached the status of Pacific Islands classic, and should be required viewing ... this admirably understated play is almost a docudrama" from the Samoa Times; and "Balanced on a knife edge between the cultures ... a milestone in New Zealand theatre ... " from The Christchurch Press; "This play should be studied and performed in every New Zealand Secondary School" City Life.

"Pacific Island theatre in Aotearoa New Zealand is a phenomenon, going from new kid on the block to Festival mainstay in less than twenty years. The anarchic humour, instinctive political edge and streetwise style of Pacific plays is as unique as a frigate bird and fresh as an ocean wave." David O'Donnell, Lecturer in Theatre, Victoria University

The Play Press has also recently published two other Pacific Island plays - Frangipani Perfume by Makerita Urale, and Mapaki by Dianna Fuemana.

The launch venue is Dux De Lux from 8.30pm on (and stay for the music!), where copies can be bought for $20. The book can also be ordered from any good bookshop or directly from The Play Press; stuff@playpress.co.nz. : P.O. Box 27-436, Marion Square, Wellington.

RRP $20, discount price $12; paperback
ISBN 1-877319-04-X
The Play Press P.O. Box 27-436 Wellington NZ
Fax (04)383 5461
www.playpress.co.nz