It's a thirty year partnership in life and on stage that's produced a raft of memorable theatrical productions. Now Niuean/Samoan actor and writer Vela Manusaute's latest play, Tropical Love Birds, directed by Anapela Polata'ivao, is preparing to premiere at the Auckland Arts Festival. Tropical Love Birds is described as a high energy drama-comedy that ventures into the issue of domestic violence. It's abut Sani and Sheena who have have been together for 15 years, and while he's left the league field for a job as a roadworks supervisor, Sheena's singing career is taking off. At the same time Inspector Marina suspects Sani and his boys are up to no good and wants them behind bars. The script was shortlisted for the 2018 Adam NZ Play Award and will premiere at the upcoming Auckland Arts Festival.