Story: Theatre design

Lighting design for Requiem, 2008

Lighting design for Requiem,  2008

Internationally acclaimed New Zealand lighting designer Helen Todd has worked with Samoan-born choreographer Lemi Ponifasio, founder of MAU dance and theatre company, since 1993. For the 2008 production, Requiem, she created a design that could be toured internationally. She says, 'Requiem requires a sacred space, for ceremony and remembrance. It requires an edge of darkness that inspires prayer, or reflection on inflicted loss of life. I try to define territorial zones that shift us, hovering between reverence and fear, where humans and even angels should tread only tenderly.'

Using this item

Richard Termine Photography
Photograph by Richard Termine

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Bill Guest, 'Theatre design - Costume, lighting and sound design', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/42326/lighting-design-for-requiem-2008 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Bill Guest, published 22 Oct 2014