“As Pasifika people we’re storytellers, and so the way we connect to our own is through stories. The hope behind this production is that more Pasifika families really start to talk about mental wellness in their homes […] so that we can hopefully help those going through similar experiences.” – Joshua Iosefo.
The play Odd Daphne is making its way back to the theatre stage this year following its award-winning success in 2019.
It draws on the life of writer and director Joshua Iosefo, who addresses the realities of being Pasifika today. The play aims to raise awareness about the mental wellbeing of Pasifika families. The story is close to home for Iosefa and one that he wants to share with his community.
“That time in my life with my family and myself was pretty dark and was quite challenging,” he says.
“So I thought one way to shed light on this situation, and to help other families going through similar things, is to write a play and to show everyone the journey we go through, so that we can hopefully help those going through similar experiences.”
This creative zone is a platform that gives Iosefo a voice.
“Plays and theatre and any type of art is really a way to connect to people on a completely different level,” he says.
The underlying message of mental wellness in Pasifika families is key in this play.
“Just hoping to encourage further conversation because there is a lot of work to be done,” Iosefo says, and taking the play to various Pasifika communities is definitely something he would love to do.“I would love that, I would so love that. I think that would be an amazing opportunity.”
The second season of Odd Daphne runs from 12-15 February at the Māngere Arts Centre.
Check out Josh’s interview on Māori TV, accessible in full here.
* This article was written by Regan Paranihi for Te Ao Māori News, and is available here: https://www.teaomaori.news/play-encouragespasifika-families-discuss-mental-wellness?fbclid=IwAR0rItbw7lpOT897NaGT96-yNRJBm93enOkkoqEnRdj4rgB52Gq-GlRN5uw
