The myth of the Minotaur is an ancient storytelling itself, but with The Monster in the Maze, Jonathan Dove and Alisdair Middleton have unearthed rich, new life from this classic. Under the bold direction of Anapela Polataivao, this groundbreaking opera reimagines the legend like never before and you will not want to miss it!
After conquering Athenians, King Minos enacts a cruel punishment: each year, Athenian youth must be sent to his island, sacrificed to the monstrous Minotaur lurking deep in the heart of a deadly maze. In his triumph, he crushes their future, declaring that the beast will consume their hope and trample their children into the sand. But the youth refuse to accept their fate without a fierce challenge.
The Monster in the Maze is more than a story, it’s a rallying cry about resistance, justice and finding power in collectivism. Fittingly, this is a community-centred opera where young voices and local talents stand proudly alongside seasoned professionals, each playing an essential role in the production. The show serves as a gorgeous articulation of New Zealand Opera’s kaupapa of reciprocal community engagement. Step into the maze — and discover the power of many voices rising as one.
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