This story was originally published on The Spinoff.
The first of many palpable moments in the room at the Christchurch premiere of Tinā came during a phone conversation between the main character Mareta (Anapela Polataivao) and her daughter. She’s seeking reassurance from her mum before an audition which she mentions, in passing, is at the CTV building in the city. A sharp intake of breath was heard across the entire James Hay Theatre, as people shifted around in their seats and braced for the worst.
