Naked Samoans
Encyclopedia
The Naked Samoans is a famous New Zealand
comedy group made up of Polynesian entertainers, most of whom are Samoan
. The group is noted for performing social humour and satire that attracts a broad audience, especially among white New Zealanders, without sacrificing the group's Pacific Island identity. In recent years, the group has gained success in both television and film projects, but their work in theatre remains their primary base in entertainment. The members of this group are David Fane
, Mario Gaoa
, Shimpal Lelisi
, Oscar Kightley
, Robbie Magasiva
, and Jerome Leota.
The group started in 1998 with their first stage production entitled Naked Samoans Talk about Their Knives (the title is a parody of a New Zealand film Topless Women Talk About Their Lives). Appearing in several cities in New Zealand, their show was a sellout success. This led to a series of successful productions in theatre that brought media attention to the entertainers. Their material on such subjects like racism and violence were surprising to some, but nonetheless their base grew. Originally the Naked Samoans consisted of four members, but in January 2001 Robbie Magasiva joined the group and has remained a member since.
Between 2004 and 2006, the Naked Samoans were involved in two major projects. In television, the original members created the animated show bro'Town
, New Zealand's first adult animated show. It received critical praise and numerous awards from the country's domestic entertainment industry. In film, most of the group members starred in the comedy film Sione's Wedding
, known as Samoan Wedding in other regions such as North America, co-written by Oscar Kightley himself. The movie became one of the highest-grossing Kiwi films of 2006, making over $NZ3 million. However, it also got media attention as being a victim of pirating, resulting in some loss of potential revenue. Sione's Wedding was later released in Australia and distributed in the United States under a new title Samoan Wedding.
After a successful 2006, the Naked Samoans returned to their roots and performed with their new production, Naked Samoans Go Home (Again), in December.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
comedy group made up of Polynesian entertainers, most of whom are Samoan
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
. The group is noted for performing social humour and satire that attracts a broad audience, especially among white New Zealanders, without sacrificing the group's Pacific Island identity. In recent years, the group has gained success in both television and film projects, but their work in theatre remains their primary base in entertainment. The members of this group are David Fane
David Fane
-Life and career:Fane was educated at St. Pauls College in Ponsonby.Fane got into acting quite late and trained at the New Zealand Drama School Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1991. He first appeared on television in a sketch comedy show called SKITZ alongside future Naked Samoans Oscar Kightley and...
, Mario Gaoa
Mario Gaoa
Mario Gaoa is a Samoan New Zealander actor, writer and director, best known as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy group. As part of the group he has appeared in the film Sione's Wedding; provided the voices of Sione Tapili and God in the animated series Bro'Town, which he also co-writes; and...
, Shimpal Lelisi
Shimpal Lelisi
Shimpal Lelisi is a New Zealand actor and TV presenter, best known as one of the members of the Naked Samoans.-Biography:Born in Niue, Shimpal came to New Zealand at the age of four. He began acting at an early age, taking part in school productions...
, Oscar Kightley
Oscar Kightley
Oscar Vai To'elau Kightley, MNZM, is a Samoan-born actor, television presenter and writer who has been a resident and citizen of New Zealand for most of his life.-Biography:He acted in and co-wrote the successful 2006 film Sione's Wedding...
, Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known...
, and Jerome Leota.
The group started in 1998 with their first stage production entitled Naked Samoans Talk about Their Knives (the title is a parody of a New Zealand film Topless Women Talk About Their Lives). Appearing in several cities in New Zealand, their show was a sellout success. This led to a series of successful productions in theatre that brought media attention to the entertainers. Their material on such subjects like racism and violence were surprising to some, but nonetheless their base grew. Originally the Naked Samoans consisted of four members, but in January 2001 Robbie Magasiva joined the group and has remained a member since.
Between 2004 and 2006, the Naked Samoans were involved in two major projects. In television, the original members created the animated show bro'Town
Bro'Town
bro'Town is a New Zealand Television animated series. The show used a comedy based format, targeted at a young adult audience.The series is set amongst New Zealand's fast growing Pacific Islander community, and focuses on a central cast of five young boys...
, New Zealand's first adult animated show. It received critical praise and numerous awards from the country's domestic entertainment industry. In film, most of the group members starred in the comedy film Sione's Wedding
Sione's Wedding
Sione's Wedding , is a 2006 comedic film directed by Chris Graham and written by James Griffin and Oscar Kightley, and produced by South Pacific Pictures.- Plot :...
, known as Samoan Wedding in other regions such as North America, co-written by Oscar Kightley himself. The movie became one of the highest-grossing Kiwi films of 2006, making over $NZ3 million. However, it also got media attention as being a victim of pirating, resulting in some loss of potential revenue. Sione's Wedding was later released in Australia and distributed in the United States under a new title Samoan Wedding.
After a successful 2006, the Naked Samoans returned to their roots and performed with their new production, Naked Samoans Go Home (Again), in December.