Name: Red Heavens
Start: 2025-09-14T06:00:00+12:00
End: 2025-09-14T08:00:00+12:00
Location: Theatre Royal Nelson

‘Red Heavens’
From Stromboli to D'Urville Island,
Martine Baanvinger, from the solo shows ‘Solitude’ and ‘Aperture’, brings another powerful, dynamic and passionate solo show to the stage. ‘Red Heavens’ portrays the true story of Angelina Moleta, an Italian pioneering immigrant on D'Urville Island, whose fate is intertwined with the forces of nature and her deep connection with Wetekia Ruruku Elkington, a high-born Māori woman. Growing up on the active volcanic island of Stromboli, she is betrothed to her cousin who brings her, in the year 1906, to the even more remote D'Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds. Through hardship and an unlikely friendship, she grows into womanhood and motherhood. This bitter and beautiful tale is inspired by the book Angelina by New Zealand author Gerard Hindmarsh who wrote the book about his grandmother.
‘Red Heavens’ has successfully toured over 30 shows throughout New Zealand in 2024 with Arts on Tour. Now the show will tour one more time around the south island to the towns that haven’t had the opportunity to see the show yet.
“Martine is one of the most highly accomplished producers and performers in the country. Every solo show has been a hit from ‘Solitude’ to ‘Aperture’ about Ans Westra, and the recent ‘Red Heavens.” Steve Thomas – Arts on Tour Aotearoa NZ
“Martine is so clever to have created such an incredible masterpiece and her ability to portray it all in such a simplistic yet engaging setting was honestly awe inspiring." – Sunneva Stocker
Promo video Red Heavens: