Sean Burnett Dugdale-Martin
The Conch’s show A Boy Called Piano - The Story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu tells the remarkable story of Luafutu’s time as a state ward in the 1960’s and the intergenerational impacts of these experiences. Written by Luafutu himself and Tom McCrory, and directed by Nina Nawalowalo, A Boy Called Piano builds on The Conch’s kaupapa of harnessing the power of theatre as a force for social change. Combining physical storytelling, breathtaking visual design with elements from The Conch’s documentary film A Boy Called Piano - The Story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu (New Zealand International Film Festival 2022 and winner at the 2022 Montreal Independent Film Festival), the play stars Fa’amoana alongside his son Matthias Luafutu, Aaron McGregor, Rob Ringiao-Lloyd, and the renowned Ole Maiava, plus a stunning score performed live by Aotearoa music legend Mark Vanilau. The body of work deals with innocence, racism, systematic abuse, molestation, and attempted suicide.
