TWO MĀORI, TWO GUITARS AND A KAUPAPA THAT DIVIDES THEM

Two Guitars
Written by Jamie McCaskill
Starring Jamie McCaskill and Cameron Clayton
Directed by Carrie Green
 
Combining theatre and live music, Two Guitars, the latest production from award-winning playwright Jamie McCaskill, wrestles with “Māoriness”, through comedy, song and outstanding showmanship. Following a successful premiere season in Palmerston North last year, Two Guitars heads to Wellington’s Circa Theatre from 23 March – 13 April.
 
Filled with laughter and touching moments, Two Guitars is a musical journey that follows the winners of a kaupapa Māori music competition who are about to play their showcase gig. But an hour before the show, tension and cultural aspirations come to a head, forcing them to decide whether they should go through with the show or not.
 
Billy and Te Po are two-meke musicians about to smash the biggest night of their lives. Just before going onstage, Billy must decide if he will still perform after receiving tragic news and Te Po doubles down on his criticism of the show's wairua in a live interview that morning. When the producers call in to discuss the interview, Te Po challenges them on their views of te ao Māori, stating that he and Billy shouldn’t have to conform to their way of being Māori. When Te Po is kicked off the show, Billy is forced to confront his values as a modern Māori man and where he fits in.
 
A superb showcase of both acting and musicianship, Two Guitars was written by and stars award-winning playwright, actor, musician and founder of The Māori Sidesteps, Jamie McCaskill (Ngāti Tamaterā). His writing credits include Manawa, which won him the Bruce Mason Award in 2013, as well as Not in Our Neighbourhood, The Biggest, Company Kamupene, and Te Kuia Me Te Pungawerewere which was brought to the stage by Taki Rua in 2023. In this two-hander Jamie is joined by Golden Guitar winner Cameron Clayton (Ngāti Porou, Whāngai), who has performed in country music across NZ, Australia and USA, and has previously starred in productions of Cats, Rent, Shrek the Musical and Something Rotten.
 
“I wrote Two Guitars because I wanted to explore diversity in te ao Māori and present two characters who may not be your stereotypical Māori fighting to be themselves within a Māori kaupapa. In the current political climate, we must hold on to our self determination or mana motuhake.” says writer, Jamie McCaskill
 
"Comedy is a great vehicle to convey deeper issues and this is well exemplified in Two Guitars by Jamie McCaskill" – Tania Kopytko, Theatreview
 
Two Guitars is directed by award winning actor, writer and director Carrie Green (Ngāti Porou). She’s worked with the likes of Auckland Theatre Company, Taki Rua, Tawata Productions and World of Wearable Arts. Carrie’s acting credits include Silo Theatre’s Mr Burns and Cellfish, Bless the Child, Public Service Announcements and TV's Under the Vines. She was awarded Actor of the Year in 2019 and Outstanding New Playwright in 2016 at the Wellington Theatre Awards. Also supporting Two Guitars is set and costume designer Ian Harman and lighting designer Talya Pilcher.
 
With comedy at its heart, Two Guitars delves into the diverse experiences of Māori in contemporary society, and the universal experience of exploring one's own identity and place of belonging in the world.

“Meaningful, funny, challenging... everything that good theatre should be. Recommend.” – Audience Member
 
 
TWO GUITAR plays
23 March – 13 April
Tues – Thurs 6.30pm, Fri – Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm
Circa Theatre
Book at Circa Theatre