Fresh Off the Boat

by Oscar Kightley

Pacific Underground's groundbreaking play Fresh Off the Boat, written by Oscar Kightley and Simon Small, which examines the tragi-comic trials and tribulations of an immigrant family and their attempts to make sense of their new home -- Samoan life in the Big Smoke -- has been published at long last.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Lei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh off the boat by Oscar Kightley & Simon Smalls. I enjoyed this script and found it very true to the heart of a polynesian family and it's challenges that it faces here in New Zealand or known to many Islanders back then 'The Land of Milk and Honey'. Characters of this is profoundly raw and soild characters. The whole concept of migrating into Aotearoa and the civil challenges faced by the family. For instance the Mother who speaks english to her daughters just to prove to everyone they were adapting well, and the fact she has a 'palagi' friend played by Simon Smalls. Then there's the brother from samoa, who slowly reels in the desire of culture upon his two neices, and yet finds things confusing especially finding that The fa'asamoan culture is not prodominatly practiced within his sisters' family. The Palagi friend - who loves this samoan woman dearly and has adapted and picked up on the samoan culture even the lingo. The fact that he has treated her children like his own. Then there's the boy next door played by Oscar. He always hangs around their family home and only goes home if he's told too.

I recommend you also watch this if you're able to get a copy of the recording. Check out Auckland, Victoria, Otago & Christchurch University Library sites and grab it!
A script full of comedy and issues well placed and told.

***** stars

[Cheryl Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a pacific islander born, bred & still living in south auckland you would think I would understand this a bit more.

Except I don't. I don't get it at all.

Maybe it's because this is the 2nd piece of pacific literature I've ever encountered.

Or maybe it's because I've been so sheltered within my own culture that I cannot relate.

Based on my feeling of the piece, all I can say is it left me puzzled. I wasn't expecting, what initially came across as a comedy, to end so abruptly or less sugar coated.

I couldn't tell who was the victim, the stereotype of uncle Samoa or the consequences upon the family.

If anything this piece certainly challenged my assumptions of pacific work & while I still don't know how to rate it (did I love it did I hate it etc) I know that it was worth the read even if it left me in a state of undone.