Frederica Elbourne - The Fiji Times

NEW Zealand-born Nina Nawalowalo has added another notch to her belt to create what the international media have called a "truly magical new play".

The Masi is the result of the combined effort of the Pacific theatre company The Conch ù established by artistic director Nawalowalo, and the British illusionist Paul Kieve who was the magic adviser for the Harry Potter films.

The New Zealand International Arts Festival (NZIAF) said The Masi explores the history, mythology and craft of masi or Fijian tapa cloth intertwined in a love story of Nawalowalo's parents.

The NZIAF said in a statement the play was about a Fijian chief and an English nurse who met in the 1950s in Wellington.

The play will premiere at Soundings Theatre in Wellington from March 2 to 6.