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The backstory of the two plays
Playwright Russell Armitage brings Albertland’s past to the stage with two new works shaped by real people, places, and events. Inspired by a 2024 visit to the region and Russell’s own family links, the plays honour community memory and the mana of local rangatira.
This companion pair grew from conversations at Wharehine and deep whakapapa ties. A Pig Full of Surprises springs from a true 1860s incident, and Accord on the Kaipara recognises two rangatira who enabled the early settlers, designed to be performed at Te Hana Marae as a ceremonial prelude.