National Theatre Company (Papua New Guinea)
Encyclopedia
The National Theatre Company was, as its name suggests, a State-funded theatre company in Papua New Guinea
. It was directed by William Takaku
and administed by the government's National Cultural Commission. Its ambitious aim, as described by UNESCO
, was "to create a Papua New Guinea cultural identity
, mainly through dance and drama".
The Company toured the country and staged plays in remote rural areas. While stopping in a village for an open-air performance, it would also hold theatrical workshops, to assist local theatre groups, and learn dances and legends from elderly villagers. A number of performances were "based on local folklore, music [and] dance".
Its plays, set both in rural and in urban areas, explored environmental themes as well as problems related to life in the city. Performances were "liberally laced with music, dancing and comedy", but aimed to address serious issues. Plays were produced in the English language
and in Tok Pisin
.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
, the Company eventually "f[ell] into a state of disarray as a result of inadequate funding".
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. It was directed by William Takaku
William Takaku
William Takaku was a Papua New Guinean film, television and theatre actor. He was also a screenwriter and a former theatre director.-Career:He was for a time director of the National Theatre Company in Papua New Guinea....
and administed by the government's National Cultural Commission. Its ambitious aim, as described by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, was "to create a Papua New Guinea cultural identity
Cultural identity
Cultural identity is the identity of a group or culture, or of an individual as far as one is influenced by one's belonging to a group or culture. Cultural identity is similar to and has overlaps with, but is not synonymous with, identity politics....
, mainly through dance and drama".
The Company toured the country and staged plays in remote rural areas. While stopping in a village for an open-air performance, it would also hold theatrical workshops, to assist local theatre groups, and learn dances and legends from elderly villagers. A number of performances were "based on local folklore, music [and] dance".
Its plays, set both in rural and in urban areas, explored environmental themes as well as problems related to life in the city. Performances were "liberally laced with music, dancing and comedy", but aimed to address serious issues. Plays were produced in the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and in Tok Pisin
Tok Pisin
Tok Pisin is a creole spoken throughout Papua New Guinea. It is an official language of Papua New Guinea and the most widely used language in that country...
.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
, the Company eventually "f[ell] into a state of disarray as a result of inadequate funding".