Ma is a performance piece which interweaves the connections of family and gender identity around the supreme figure of the Matriarch.
Part of the Pride Elevates series performed at Q Theatre, as part of Auckland Pride Festival 2025.
Performed in the intimate venue of the Loft, this series aims to nurture artistic expression and development, with an aim to carry over to a wider global stage.
The larger-than-life central figure, also the Director, is Jonjon Tolovae.
Born in Samoa and living with four other brothers, she came to realise that her dysphoric feelings were because she was essentially gay.
The central theme of this poetic and musical presentation is the nurturing role of the mother, and it is essentially an ode to this encompassing unconditional love.
I have a fa’afafine son. Tolovae can embody her mother physically and spiritually, which is the biggest triumph of this special theatrical performance.
The wider family is of course the gay community. The family you are free to choose. More correctly the place where you have spiritual freedom to grow and fulfil aspirations.
Without having to hide or cloak identity. The arts saved my life because it gave me the power to share my story. It was a place that celebrated my being. It taught me that art is me and that I can be celebrated in all my truth. From a recent interview.
Tolovae is a creative at the No.3 Roskill Theatre Company, primarily as a costume designer. She is strikingly costumed around a large frame.
Accompanying her are Nikeidrian Lologa-Peters, and Lijah Mavaega who provides the live instrumental accompaniment on acoustic guitar and log drum percussion.
Half the words are supplied as song. Dreamy and sun-drenched music, typically Fifties vocal group styles with a distinctive Polynesian flavour.
Tolovae stands out as versatile tenor singer
Idyllic love dominates. I am reminded of the John Lennon solo classic Mother, which is a lament of finding peace from rejection. A primal scream of pain transcended.
Pain transcended and subsumed I would suspect is shot through this entire production.
There was a large Polynesian audience for the opening performance tonight.
Heard many comments regarding the emotional impact of the performance. With other Polynesian theatrical performances I have attended, here and in Samoa many years ago, people are passionate and vocal in their appreciation.
The introductory exposition was in Samoan, but it quickly gave way to English, which would give Ma the wider audience it deserves, it the company proceeds to develop it from here.
Rev. Orange Peel
