Cultural diversity faces the music in Auckland

New Zealand cherishes Auckland as not only the most populous but also the most ethnically diverse city.

For a multicultural ‘Super City,’ cultural integration and assimilation is beneficial.

Auckland also faces several challenges, the most important of which is maintaining harmony between different cultures. Diverse Dominion Road

‘Dominion Rd The Musical,’ is a theatrical production that illustrates the theme of diversity in the Super City, and what happens when commercialisation aims to take over quality of life. It considers the suburb of Dominion Road as an example of Auckland’s (and New Zealand’s) changing demography.

An original homegrown production presented by ‘Sharu Loves Hats’ and directed by Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho, ‘Dominion Rd The Musical’ opened on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre, located at 15 Glendale Road.

Shows will run until Saturday, August 19 at the same venue starting at 730 pm.

The Musical features five professional actors – Jackie Clark, Marissa Holder, Mustaq Missouri, Brady Peeti, Benjamin Teh and an eleven-member Chorus.

Music and Theatre

Being part of this musical was the first for Dhruv Mody, an Auckland resident who plays the Sitar, a North Indian stringed instrument backing Mustaq’s character, as well as the role of Dinanath ‘Dinu’ Mehta in the Chorus.

Speaking to Indian Newslink, Dhruv said that he never thought of himself as a ‘musical theatre guy’ before this production came his way, although he has been exposed to music all his life.

“My learning and experience with Carnatic Vocal, Tabla and Sitar gave me opportunities to showcase my musical prowess in the Auckland arts scene. The thought of mixing theatre with music however never did cross my mind until now,” he said.

The Dominion Story

‘Dominion Rd The Musical’ follows a group of residents and business owners on Dominion Road who fight against a proposed development of their street as ‘Chinatown.’

Though penned as fictitious, writer and co-lyricist Renee Liang was inspired by true events experienced by ‘Dominionettes,’ who continue to face the threat of a ‘Chinatown’ being established on their street.

Interestingly, most people from the Chinese community are against this idea, who believe that this is a deliberate attempt to culturally and commercially segregate their group from the rest of New Zealand’s communities.

As Renee said, “A mere cultural labelling of one of the oldest settler groups in New Zealand.”

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