Review: Auntie's Fiafia Night

Enthralling, enchanting, powerful, moving, and inspiring. Perhaps it is too early to say that this is THE show of the 2021 Brisbane Festival, but for sheer entertainment Auntie’s Fiafia Night is going to be exceptionally difficult to beat. This was one show that I didn’t want to end… so much so that I’m planning to see it again. If I can get a ticket, that is. I have a feeling this one will definitely sell-out.

Fiafia nights are a Samoan cultural celebration; as our talented Cook Islands host, Lana Siliga, says, an opportunity to ‘impress our Aunties.’ In this case, think Australia’s Got Talent, The Voice, and more—and you’d still not quite be there.

At a time when travel is heavily restricted, Auntie’s Fiafia Night is a chance to experience a chocolate box of delights—from Casus Circus skills, through to the music, story, and dance of Hawaii, Samoa, Cook Islands, PNG, Tahiti and more. And be assured that this is a showcase that spans contemporary and traditional moves. Natano Fa'anana has directed, corralled and collaborated with local Pasifika community groups to create a spellbinding evening that impressed all of the preview audience aunties, sisters, sons, friends and lucky guests.

Casus circus has a well-deserved reputation for circus skills, and Auntie’s Fiafia Night showcases some astounding circus moves. Fa'anana is joined by fellow Casus co-founders, Jesse Scott and Lachlan Macaulay in demonstrations of amazing strength, acrobatics and tumbling. This show is the first time I have seen a performer walk across the outstretched arms from the top of one human tower to another (pictured, showing Macaulay’s walk), but other heart-stopping moments include Ela Bartilimo’s splits (with feet on the heads of two fellow-performers), Macaulay’s high balancing (on an assortment of chairs and benches, placed on top of a table), and Scott and Macaulay’s ‘walk’ across the scaffolding (before their mesmerising twirling aerial acrobatics). And not forgetting the fabulous fire-twirling, and Bartilimo’s bow and arrow target practice (rest assured, no Aunties were harmed in the making of this show).

The showcasing of different dance style and moves from a variety of islands is just wonderful (‘from Logan to Hawaii,’ to quote the publicity blurb). Fabulous hula from Heilani - Pacific Entertainment, Education & Fitness (alongside Scott’s hula-hooping, of course!), and exceptionally powerful Māori dance. But also a more contemporary vibe from the powerful, sassy House of Alexander performers, and from the intense and inspiring MRMR.

The music is just fabulous—including the high-energy drumming and lyrical guitar blended with Cook Islands voices (for example, when serenading Aunty on the stage, with a beautiful alternative reading of’ ‘Wonderful Tonight’). Music Director Airileke Ingram demonstrates wonderful work on the Samoan log drums (particularly special when ‘drumming up a storm during Bartilimo’s aerial), and must be congratulated on a glorious musical team that together produce a high energy and oceanic score.

Siliga has a splendid voice and great stage presence, acting as a fabulous ‘Big Sister’ and host for the evening. The vocal work was often moving—particularly including the piece dedicated to the Aunties and women, and also the reworked ‘climate change’ version of ‘Big Yellow Taxi.’ Pieces were interspersed with occasional interviews, teasing out cultural references. And the story-telling even extended to portraying a traditional Samoan tale—illustrated with the mirror dance and acrobatics—which warns against vanity, and protects young women when encouraging their Pacifika fierceness.

Casus circus co-founder and performer, Scott, describes the Show as featuring an 80 member cast, where the majority are “people of colour, a massive LGBTQI+ representation and at least half the cast being amazingly strong woman!" We certainly celebrated amazingly strong performers and artists. By the time of the concluding piece, led by Lilo Samoa Dance Academy, many of the audience were on their feet—joining in the dance, and celebrating the cultures, talents, and skills of all of the performers (and that included some dance moves by our on-stage Auntie).

If Auntie’s Fiafia Night is anything to go by, Brisbane travel agents are going to see a surge of bookings for Pasifika island travel. And until then, try to get a ticket for this wonderful showcase of enthralling circus, fabulous song, and inspiring dance.

Verdict: Inspiring, mesmerising, powerful. Go.

Catherine Lawrence

Picture: Wonderful musical talents, including Music Director Airileke Ingram (second from left) and Lana Siliga (R). Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography — **Picture**: Wonderful musical talents, including Music Director Airileke Ingram (second from left) and Lana Siliga (R). *Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography*

Audience tip: The South Bank Piazza is undercover but outside, so you may opt to take a jacket. 90 minutes. All ages. Limited smoke haze. Arrive early (or stay late) and take time to experience the free activities nearby: look out for the Art Boat sailing by, wander through the IMB Festival of Light, try out the I Believe swings or enjoy the Light Seesaw. Tickets for Auntie’s Fiafia Night are available at the Brisbane Festival website ($35 adult, $25 concession and also per head for groups of 4+—plus all ticket purchases are subject to a $6.90 transaction fee). There are only five shows in this world premiere run (8-11 September 2021), so I’d suggest you get in quick!

The reviewer attended the Thursday 2 September 2021 (6:30pm) preview at Brisbane’s South Bank Piazza.

Pictures Credit: Creative Futures Photography.

Geoff Lawrence