Maui Catches The Sun

Content details

(Scroll down for song samples, characters and plot summary)

The best known of all Maori legends is brought to life through catchy songs and a simple script. By established New Zealand writer, Janet Grierson, this musical tells of Maui’s quest to bring more sunlight to his people. Easily adaptable for any size of cast, and a wide range of abilities, it can be performed as a full-blown musical, a class assembly, or used in your studies of myths and legends from other cultures.

Songs include

Too Short Were The Days Slow Down Sun Weaving Catch The Sun Release The Ropes Reprise – Too Short Were The Days

To move between songs use on the player above

Samples

Sample piano score (JPG)

Sample script (PDF)

Characters

Narrator
Villagers:
Children 1 and 2
Women 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Children 3 and 4
Man 1
Village Elder
Man 2
Maui
Brothers:Taha, Roto, Waho & Pae
The Sun

Ensemble characters  

More men
More women
More children

Plot summary

Opening with the song 'Too Short Were The Days' we witness the hardship of the Maori villagers, who suffer short days and long nights because the sun races too quickly across the sky. The men have no time to complete their hunting and fishing expeditions, the women cannot see to prepare meals or to do their weaving, and the children do not have enough hours of daylight to enjoy their games and dancing. In the song 'Slow Down Sun' they plead for more hours of sunlight.

Maui, who has performed many great deeds for the ancient people of Aotearoa, is asked by the village elders to help them in their plight. He summons his brothers, who nervously agree to join him on a journey to the edge of the world, where they will 'Catch the sun' (song). Maui tells the women of the village that a snare will be needed with which to trap the sun, and they enthusiastically set about 'Weaving' (song) flax to make strong ropes for this very purpose.

Maui and his brothers set out on their treacherous quest, and finally reach the pit from which the sun rises and begins its all-too-quick journey across the sky. With skill and daring they snare the sun and Maui beats it with his magic whale jawbone, demanding that it travels more slowly. The sun struggles but is no match for the hero. Battered and defeated it promises it will do as it is asked, if only they 'Release The Ropes' (song).

Triumphantly, Maui and his brothers return to find the people enjoying their longer, sunnier days. With a reprise of the song 'Too Short Were The Days' they celebrate their freedom to fish, hunt, cook, weave and play, and joyfully thank Maui for coming to their rescue.