Michael Payer has always had a passion for art.
He grew up in Sydney, Australia but since moving to Fiji four years ago, he considers Fiji his second home.
“I arrived in January 2020, I came here for a day job,” Mr Payer said.
“Fiji is a wonderful place to live and I’ve got lots of friends here and I really love my time in this country.
“I’ve been very lucky especially during COVID when I wasn’t able to leave Fiji. I had a really great community of friends around me – it’s somewhere that you instantly fall in love with.”
Mr Payer grew up around art in Australia and had great love for musicals and theatre.
It was this interest in the performing arts that inspired him to begin working on a musical project that would ignite the local art scene and showcase the vibrant talents of artists in Fiji.
“I grew up doing theatre. I grew up in Sydney, Australia and my whole life basically I’ve been doing theatre and musicals.
“When I first arrived in Fiji, I looked around trying to find a musical group that I could join, and I was surprised that I didn’t find one because it didn’t exist.
“But in the time I’ve been here, I’ve been very lucky to meet and become friends with a lot of the artists in Suva.”
After many months of planning and preparation, in partnership with the Festival Company, Mr Payer will be directing Fiji’s first-ever Broadway musical ‘Mama Mia!’
The musical is expected to hit Suva between February 9 and 17 next year, featuring a local cast.
Audiences will get to enjoy Swedish pop group ABBA’s timeless hits.
“I’ve always had a love for performing and so it was the perfect way to sort of use all of these different talents, learn new ones, meet new people, and there’s just something really addictive about doing a show.
“The idea has always been there since the COVID-19 pandemic as this was quite a tough time for artists, not being able to get out and share their art, but throughout that time we were constantly talking about this idea.
“And finally, I was sitting with the Festivals Company director Sharleen Ali one day when I floated the idea and she said ‘let’s do it!
“So, it’s been really fantastic actually working with her and for myself it’s a great opportunity to learn while doing so.”
He said the production was not only a celebration of talent, but also a platform for emerging local artists to shine alongside seasoned professionals.
“Why Mamma Mia? For us it was quite an easy choice because we were thinking how to engage with the many different communities in Fiji, all the different age groups and all the different backgrounds.”
Mr Payer said Mamma Mia really stood out as one of those fun shows.
“It’s not too heavy. It’s something that everyone can enjoy. You can stand up sing along, be part of it.
“It is a combination of that fun light-hearted spirits that Fijians always have, but also with that sort of familiarity and the ability for everyone to get involved and have a good time.
“Really happy to be working with the Festivals Company to bring musical theatre to Fiji for the first time.”
He encourages local artists to “put yourself out there” and to not be afraid to take risks.
“I’d say to the dreamers and artists, continue to develop and hone your craft.
“There is no other person like you so express your God-given talents to the best of your ability.”
