Begging to be believed
New Zealand Listener|June 10-16 2023
Director Paul Gittins sees the play Prima Facie as having much to say about sexual assault and the legal system
LINDA HERRICK
Begging to be believed

Paul Gittins is pretty steamed up. The evening before he was due to talk about Prima Facie, the play he's preparing to stage in Auckland this month, he Christchurch's caught the TV news about "Mama Hooch" court case.

The case, involving multiple rapes and sexual assaults, some committed eight years ago, is an extreme reflection of Prima Facie's narrative: that the justice system is a cruel process for rape victims.

The drama, by Australian lawyer-turned-playwright Suzie Miller, is a one-hander about a high-achieving defence lawyer undercut by the system when she lays a complaint of rape against a male colleague.

Prima Facie has become a global phenomenon, with productions scheduled across Europe, Scandinavia, the US, Asia and South America.

Gittins' production will star Acushla-Tara Kupe (Ngāti Maniapoto), seen recently on TVNZ+ as police officer Diana Huia in the New Zealand-Irish crime series The Gone.

Circa Theatre in Wellington is also staging Prima Facie in a separate production, with Mel Dodge directed by Lyndee-Jane Rutherford, opening a couple of days after the Auckland season.

It's clear the play has something to say that audiences want to hear, and Gittins is struck by the relevance of the Mama Hooch case to Prima Facie.

Named after the Christchurch bar where drinks were spiked by the victims' predators, the case has finally led to the conviction of two men, Roberto Jaz, 38, and his brother Danny Jaz, 40, on 69 charges including rape, indecent assault, sexual violation and stupefying.

The men will be sentenced in August.

The cases involved about 30 women, but police believe there were more victims who never came forward. Moreover, the crimes occurred from 2015-18. That's a long wait for the women.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND LISTENERView all
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 mins  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024