Double Bill: KUINI by Lyncia Muller & Shapes in the Clouds by Tauveve Andy Tilo-Faiaoga. Experience two powerful works — celebrating ancestral wisdom, intergenerational connection, and bold Pacific storytelling through dance.
In a night of layered storytelling and vivid movement, the double bill of SHAPES IN THE CLOUDS and KUINI offered a dynamic window into how Pacific narratives are being reimagined on the contemporary stage. Both performances stand as powerful testaments to the evolving expressions of cultural identity in Aotearoa, with each work taking a distinct yet interconnected path.
Opening the evening was SHAPES IN THE CLOUDS, created by Tauveve Andy Tilo-Faiaoga. Described as part dance, part theatre, this family-oriented work blends playful humour with deep emotional undercurrents. At its heart lies the relationship between a young boy and his father, drawn through the lens of childhood imagination and parental aspiration.
The show begins with a burst of street life — a group of lively youth drift through the space, play-fighting, vaping, and jostling for attention. There is an initial sense of chaos, reminiscent of the ensemble dynamics of West Side Story, albeit steeped in the rhythms and style of urban Pasifika life. But this kinetic start soon gives way to more intimate storytelling, inviting the audience into a tale that moves between fantasy and grounded cultural reality.
Movement is a central language in this piece, but it is enhanced by elements of spoken word, music, and clever digital media. The balance of English dialogue with songs in Pacific languages ensures accessibility while remaining authentic to the work’s cultural roots. Humour is also woven into every layer — from inventive props like underwear masks and spinning clotheslines to cheeky stagehand cameos and deliberate fourth-wall breaking. Visually, the performance is rich and textured, though some technical choices — particularly the use of the frontmost stage area — meant that certain scenes were difficult to view from raised seating. A minor spatial adjustment could easily enhance future stagings.
Nonetheless, the energy is infectious. The piece champions imagination — not only that of the young protagonist but the performers themselves. With a cast that spans body types and dance backgrounds, SHAPES IN THE CLOUDS feels inclusive, joyful, and distinctly local. It celebrates dreaming, family ties, and the journeys we take between generations.
Following a brief interlude, KUINI enters with an entirely different tone — grounded, contemplative, and steeped in reverence. Created by Lyncia Muller, this work is an artistic homage to Her Majesty Queen Sālote Tupou III, one of Tonga’s most influential cultural and political leaders. Where SHAPES buzzed with youthful exuberance, KUINI moves with a regal calmness. Its choreography is marked by precision and grace, blending the traditional tau‘olunga with contemporary movement in a way that feels less like fusion and more like a conversation across time.
The staging is classical in its composition. Black bodysuits and minimalistic, monochrome traditional garments give the performance a sense of poise and cohesion. Transitions are marked with the sound of rain and storms, evoking emotional and spiritual shifts that mirror the Queen’s own journey — as a leader, poet, and cultural guardian. A particularly striking feature was the use of projected visuals during a costume transition. Far from being filler, this moment offered educational insights into Queen Sālote’s life and philosophy, allowing the performance to maintain momentum while deepening its narrative arc.
Live vocals enrich the work even further. With four singers delivering harmonised Tongan music throughout, the soundscape envelops the room in a sense of cultural pride and spiritual continuity. These voices, paired with the choreography, create a holistic sensory experience. More than just a biographical tribute, KUINI asks its audience to consider the responsibilities of cultural leadership. What does it mean to inherit a legacy? How can tradition evolve without losing its integrity? These are questions that linger well after the final bow.
When taken together, SHAPES IN THE CLOUDS and KUINI offer more than just two performances — they form a compelling dialogue on how tradition and modernity intersect in Pacific storytelling. The former places cultural values within a familiar Western performance structure, enriched by humour, digital storytelling, and youthful dynamism. The latter takes traditional forms and elevates them through polished, contemporary refinement, producing something akin to Pacific ballet.
Each approach is valid, and each shows a different facet of how Pasifika artists are engaging with their heritage. SHAPES reminds us of the importance of imagination, connection, and the simple joy of play. KUINI brings gravitas, reminding us of the roles that art and leadership play in preserving cultural identity across generations. Together, SHAPES IN THE CLOUDS and KUINI deliver a rich, multi-textured evening of performance. They celebrate the past, speak to the present, and dream of futures still forming. Whether you come for the humour and heart or the poetry and precision, this double bill delivers something rare and necessary: a platform for Pacific voices to tell their stories their way.
For audiences in Aotearoa — both Pasifika and non-Pasifika — these works offer not only entertainment but a meaningful invitation: to listen, to reflect, and to imagine new shapes in the cultural clouds above us.
Experience KUINI & Shapes in the Clouds from 10th-11th June, 7pm
You can purchase tickets here