The Legend of Sina & the Eel returns to the Main Stage

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) hub for creative innovation, the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture & Pacific Studies (OCACPS), has announced its return to large-scale theatrical production with the upcoming premiere of Sina.

As the Centre’s first major performative work since December 2023, the production marks the relaunch of the Centre’s performing and musical arts streams.

Sina is a collaborative theatrical production written and directed by Ateca Ravuvu, with support from the production’s Musical Director, Calvin Rore, and Assistant Musical Director, Tupou Bulai Muriwaqa. It brings together the Centre’s two renowned resident ensembles, the Oceania Dance Theatre (ODT) and Pasifika Voices (PV), and introduces the Oceania Dance Academy (ODA).

The production will be staged at the Laucala Campus in Suva, Fiji on 7-8 August.

Speaking on Sina, OCACPS Director, Dr Katrina Talei Igglesden shared the cultural significance of the chosen narrative in the Pacific.

“The story of Sina and the Eel is a widely known Pacific legend and is familiar to both older and newer generations. Variations of the tale exist across Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Rotuma, each offering its own unique interpretation,” she said.

“Sina is a story that belongs to the people of the Pacific, one of many stories that reflect our shared heritage. While Western folktales hold their own beauty and significance, it is equally important that we know and preserve our own stories.”

“Sharing stories of our people and by our people in innovative and dynamic ways speaks to the heart of Epeli Hau’ofa’s vision for the Oceania Centre as a home of a new contemporary brand of Pacific art forms that are informed by Western canons, but do not replicate or mimic them.”

“Productions such as Sina celebrate not only the story itself, but also the talent and creativity of each member of the team – every aspect is creativity in action from the acting, dancing, lighting, sounds, music, costumes. And all of that creativity is local!”

Since late 2024, with the start of OCACPS’ current director’s tenure, the Centre has worked towards rebuilding and strengthening its arts programmes.

“This new Sina stage production is not drawn from a single version. Rather, as writer and director, Ateca Ravuvu has taken artistic liberty to reimagine the narrative, fusing elements from multiple traditions to create a contemporary retelling,” Dr Igglesden added.

“Based regionally for several years, OCACPS has also been fortunate to have Calvin Rore return to Laucala, where he can provide guidance and expertise to revive and celebrate PV.”

“With two seasoned performers, creators and directors, it seemed opportune to work steadily on these dance and music programmes and develop a production that celebrates the renewed energy of the current ODT and PV teams.”

For Ravuvu, directing Sina represents a full-circle moment. After auditioning for and joining the Oceania Dance Theatre in 2002, she later trained as a contemporary dancer, a career she pursued for 13 years.

In 2015, she established her own company before returning to the Oceania Centre as the Dance Coordinator.

“In the early 2000s, at just 18 years old, I was introduced to the world of theatre in Suva through this very same production, then directed by ODT’s late founder, Allan Alo,” Ravuvu shared.

“I was captivated. I went on to audition and dance with the company for thirteen years. To return to the Oceania Centre now as the Dance Coordinator and direct my own interpretation of the work that first inspired my career is incredibly special.”