Why you should watch O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala’ai

With only a few shows left for the Samoan play O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala’ai | The Liar, the Thief, and the Coward has already started to shift how Pacific storytelling is all inclusive.

A story described as a “darkly comic” exploration of a family feud navigating societal struggle for power, identity, and legacy, it invites audiences on an intrinsic Fa’a Samoa journey.

It follows a proud Ali’i (chief) Pili Sā Tauilevā, played by Semu Filipo, who is a devout man to the sanctity of Samoan tradition. But when he suddenly faces debilitating illness and refuses to name a successor, his daughter and son rival the title.

Filipo says while the story has staunch themes of Fa’a Samoa, it encourages people, Samoan or not, to ponder their relationships with culture, service, and identity.

“This is really a human story that anyone can relate to. It’s not your typical Polynesian story. The language and the text are very beautiful, the characters are rich but the themes will question how pure your tautua (service) is.

“The story is about power, greed, loyalty, alliances, re-alliances. The different masks that people may wear to get what they want.”

Aside from the storyline, its upcoming show on Sunday, 17 March will include audio description blind and low-vision audience members and closing night is to be NZSL-interpreted.

Attendees, through an earpiece, will hear descriptions from Audio Described Aotearoa, an emotionally captivating experience of the visual elements.

And before the show starts, doors to the theatre open early for a “touch tour” where people can physically feel their way through the set design and costumes.

The talented fafine in the cast of O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala'ai (from left - right) Ana Corbett, Taofi Nehemia, Aruna Po-Ching. Photo/Auckland Theatre Company

In the true essence of Pacific values, this week’s Thursday night performance raised $1258 for the New Zealand Actors Benevolent Fund. A non-profit charity supporting entertainment professionals past and present living with injury, illness or disabilities.

O le Pepelo features an array of Pacific talents like Semu Filipo, Ana Corbett, Jesme Fa’auuga, Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson, Villa Junior Lemanu, James Maeva, Taofi Nehemia, Aruna Po-Ching, and Andy Tilo-Faiaoga.

The actors have been respective stalwarts of Pacific ethics in the arts and paved the path for rising talent to see the many avenues to a career in arts. One thing that has remained constant, is their service to keeping Pacific storytelling alive.

As Filipo said the show tests boundaries of Fa’a Samoa, it lingers in the crossover of modernity and tradition and how it relates to Samoan audiences today.

For Hollywood stuntman and experienced arts professional Andy Tilo-Faiaoga bringing his character Masina Fa’asaogalemū to life was about being rooted in service.

“We all know those people at home that always serve, doing dishes or washing. Even in the homeland there are people by the fire all the time to keep it burning to keep the front house fed.

“Masina also has a dilemma within himself. Whether or not to keep going with what he knows or thinking about these worldly things, like love.”

Written by Natano Keni and Sarita So, who are both dedicated to Gagana Samoa resurgence and sustainability. Although the script is mostly English, translations for dialogue spoken in Gagana Samoa are projected on the walls of the set.

O le Pepelo is a collaboration between Auckland Theatre Company, Auckland Arts Festival and I Ken So Productions playing at the ASB Waterfront Theatre until March 23, 2024.

People wishing to gift donations to the New Zealand Actors Benevolent Fund can do so here and find tickets to the show here.