New Zealand’s Maori Take on Shakespeare in the Face of Literacy Concerns
Guest post by Kimberley Newey
London’s highly anticipated 2012 Olympics may not take the prize for cultural achievements next year. London’s Globe Theatre will be hosting the “Globe to Globe” festival, featuring all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays performed in 37 different languages including: a performance of Love’s Labour’s Lost in British Sign language, Othello in hip-hop, and a dramatic production of Troilus and Cressida in Maori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. None of the plays will be subtitled, though they will feature on screen descriptions of the scenes to give audiences at least a gist of the action; the festival organisers are calling this an opportunity to step free of the weighty classic text and experience the stories anew.
Many of New Zealand’s best Maori actors form the Ngakau Toa Company (assembled by Rawiri Paratene, star of the acclaimed film Whale Rider). The group has eagerly taken on the performance of Troilus and Cressida which will debut on the 23rd of April next year, Shakespeare’s birthday. This will be their first performance on UK soil. The Maori performance will feature the famous “haka“(once performed as a way of intimidating opponents in battle, now often used as part of welcoming rituals) and an original waiata (song) composed for the production.
The announcement of the Maori language inclusion in Globe to Globe comes at a time when discussions have been building over the removal of mandatory Shakespeare teaching in New Zealand schools. Literacy rates among 60% of Maori adults are below the minimum. The Maori culture has historically been oral, rich in mythology, stories, dance, and artistic traditions passed on through community and speech. While Shakespeare may not be at the top of the priority list these days, the oral tradition and influence of Shakespeare’s work itself could be highly beneficial.
When we take a look at the text of Shakespeare’s own plays, it is clear he believed in the power of oral storytelling and passing down stories verbally. Many of the characters speak with emphasis about the importance of sharing stories orally, creating legacies and continuing to speak of the past. Most notably, in his final moments Hamlet tells Horatio “draw thy breath… [and] tell my story.” Shakespeare was enthralled by the power of speech, not just writing. Even more so he was primarily concerned with stories for the people, the poor and the middlemen not the aristocracy.
The teaching of Shakespeare in New Zealand classrooms is now up to the discretion of the individual teacher. With the obvious display of Shakespeare’s continuing cross-cultural relevance, perhaps Shakespeare’s significance for students today will be reassessed. Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Globe to Globe seems quite determined of the positive effect that Shakespeare’s plays can have regardless of culture. It can point out our differences, he has said, but also our universal human commonalities. The enthusiasm from around the world for the Globe to Globe project has proven interest in Shakespeare lives on and may not be as archaic as some parties believe.
But can Shakespeare help the Maori literacy problem?
It could. Shakespeare has often been taught through quiet reading and study, however the text does not come alive until it is spoken aloud. Unlike our novels and other literary texts, Shakespeare was intended to be heard, not read. For cultures with oral traditions the text provides flexibility beyond its English roots and historical connotations. The programmers of the Globe to Globe events are intrinsically aware of the strange camaraderie brought about through Shakespeare’s plays. By staging the events in 37 different languages, linguistic barriers are broken down leaving audiences simply with the integrity of the stories, which continue to be transcendent.
As a high percentage of Maori adults and children struggle to keep up with literacy skills, perhaps the inclusion of Shakespeare in their own language could aid not only in maintaining exciting oral traditions but a encouraging a growing literary tradition as well. After all language, and indeed literacy, begins with speaking.
For more information or to book tickets to see the Maori Shakespeare production at Globe to Globe click here. If you’re interested in encountering the Maori people in their homeland, check out New Zealand Sky for information on cultural tours, treks, and a choice of exciting New Zealand holidays.