City: Dunedin Arts Festival

UPU (2025)

Following an acclaimed New Zealand tour with PANNZ in 2023 the award-winning UPU is coming to Nelson, Dunedin and Wānaka before a season at the Sydney Opera House.

“In short, UPU shows Oceanic storytelling is truly amazing” - NZ Herald

The power of Māori & Pasifika literature roaring to theatrical life.

The world of Oceania is not small. From the energetic volcanoes of O’ahu to the southern reaches of Aotearoa, she is borderless and vast – and growing bigger by the day. After decades of dismissal and disconnection, her children are closer than ever. It’s time for a reunion.

In Samoan “upu” means “word”.

Curated by award-winning poet Grace Iwashita-Taylor and led by powerhouse director Fasitua Amosa, UPU gives the stage to Oceania’s most electrifying poetry. Ben Brown, Karlo Mila, Albert Wendt and more: UPU is for the trailblazers, the icons and the new writers transforming Aotearoa today.

In UPU, borders disappear and for just over an hour, the theatre becomes a sea of Islands. Be transported across an ocean to hear the voices dealing with colonisation, family, climate change, love, sex, religion, power and tourists.

Performed by a stellar cast of some of the best Tagata Moana actors in Aotearoa NZ -Maiava Nathaniel Lees, Mia Blake, Fasitua Amosa, Ana Corbett, Shadon Meredith and Nicola Kāwana.

“This show is pure oratory and storytelling at its finest.” - Theatrescenes (NZ)

Curator / Co-Creator - Grace Iwashita-Taylor
Director / Co-Creator - Fasitua Amosa
Producer - Ana Corbett / UPU COLLECTIVE
Assistant producer - Andrew Malmo
PANNZ Producer - Jo Bond
Production Manager/Sound Engineer - Emily Hakaraia 
Stage Manager - Edward Peni
Set Design - Michael McCabe
Light and Projection Design, AV Technician and Operator  - Rowan Pierce
Technical Operator - Elekis Poblete Teirney
Soundscape Design / Original Composition - 'Anonymouz', aka Faiumu Matthew Salapu
Costume Design - Kristin Seth
Artist / Projection Mamanu Design - Tyla Vaeau
Movement / Choreographer - Joash Fahitua

SHOW AWARDS: Best Director & Best Sound Design, Wellington Theatre awards, 2021

Supported by Creative New Zealand, produced by UPU Collective and presented with support from PANNZ (Performing Arts Network New Zealand).

Recommended for ages 15+. Contains strong language and adult themes.

 

Suitcase Show

A traveller arrives at a border with a stack of battered cases. From within them, whole worlds will emerge…

“A masterful weaving of stories… Crafty as all hell” -Art Murmurs, Wellington

Suitcase Show is an eclectic box set of short stories. Dark, spiky, and comic, each one is told out of a suitcase. The staging is inventive, from lo-fi shadowplay to wireless projection, from dancing disembodied hands to narratives that crackle from a 70s stereo suitcase.  Tiny in scale, but expansive in story, it touches on climate change, love and death, travel, and secrets that we carry with us – an overthrown autocrat finds themselves on the run from their own shadow, an astronaut turns their telescope back on earth and back in time. The work was developed through a series of showings in unusual site-specific spaces, from a pub to a photography darkroom.  

Trick of the Light is renowned for crafting inventive shows and intricate narratives. Suitcase Show reunites multi-award-winning collaborators Hannah Smith, Ralph McCubbin Howell, Tane Upjohn-Beatson, and Filament 11 Eleven. 

“Weaves a bright, dark magic.” ★★★★ —The Scotsman, UK

 

Director - Hannah Smith
Writer - Ralph McCubbin Howell 
Performers - Ralph McCubbin Howell, Hannah Smith, with Anya-Tate Manning and Richard Falkner
Sound Design and Composition - Tane Upjohn Beatson with additional composition by Robyn Bryant
Lyrics by - Ralph McCubbin Howell
Production and Technical Design collaborators - Brad Gledhill & Rachel Marlow (Filament Eleven 11)
Videography - Dean Hewison
Craft & Prop Design - Hannah Smith, Ralph McCubbin-Howell, Rebekah de Roo, Romina Menses and Emory Otto
Poster Design - William Duignan

Produced by Trick of the Light Theatre and presented as part of the PANNZ (Performing Arts Network New Zealand) touring programme.

Running time: 55 minutes

This is an adult work but is suitable for audiences aged 12 and up. Contains haze, flashing lights, references to death and depictions of violence.

Thoroughly Modern Māui

Metro Māori Productions Ltd's Thoroughly Modern Māui will be presented across Aotearoa in September/October 2022 as part of PANNZ's touring programme, Tour-Makers. Tour dates and regions will be announced soon.

 

 

 

Director - Matariki Whatarau
Dramaturge - Kate Prior & Renee Lyons
Writer/Performer - Rutene Spooner
Music - Te Aihe Butler & Rutene Spooner
Costume - Tina Thomas
Executive Producer - Metro Māori Productions Ltd
Production Partner - Pilot Productions

Image credit (hero): Ivan Muller
Image credit (production photos): Jack Barry, 2113 Creative

Many moons ago, a superhero of a different kind ruled this side of the Pacific. His name was Māui-Tikitiki-A-Taranga – MĀUI.

A warrior and demigod, his adventures are woven into the fabric of Pacific history. In Aotearoa, this ‘Māori Superman’ was fast, fit, and funny. He was the total package. He slowed the sun, fished up the North Island and brought fire to the world – to name just a few of his feats!

Burgeoning music theatre star Rutene Spooner is channelling this Māori hero into a modern-day icon – complete with rhinestones and glitter. This ‘haka-boogie-hori’ will be pulling out all his tricks from the past and reincarnating Māui into a living breathing musical rock star before your very eyes. Featuring charmingly quick-witted songs, hilarious antics and heart-felt storytelling.

 

Developed in partnership with Auckland Live.

"A highly talented and hilarious performer... the whanaungatanga
between Spooner and his band radiates authenticity and joy." - Theatrescenes

A Boy Called Piano

The Conch's A Boy Called Piano will be presented across Aotearoa in October 2022 as part of PANNZ's touring programme, Tour-Makers. Tour dates and tickets are available further below. For more information about A Boy Called Piano please visit the The Conch's website.

 

 

 

Writers: Fa’amoana John Luafutu & Tom McCrory
Director: Nina Nawalowalo
Producer: Katherine Wyeth
Executive Producer: Tom McCrory
Composer: Mark Vanilau
Starring: Fa’amoana John Luafutu, Matthias Luafutu, Aaron McGregor, Rob Ringiao-Lloyd, Ole Maiava
Visual Design: Rowan Pierce
Lighting Design: Hāmi Hawkins
Technical Manager: Mike Ainsworth
Technical Operator: Bekky Boyce

Featuring sound design elements and video footage from The Conch documentary film: A Boy Called Piano - The Story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu - Directed by Nina Nawalowalo, Produced by Katherine Wyeth, Executive Producer: Tom McCrory, Composer: Mark Vanilau, Edited by Lala Rolls, Cinematography by Jess Charlton, Sound Design by Mike Gibson, Featuring: Fa’amoana John Luafutu, Matthias Luafutu, Tāne Luafutu, Micah Luafutu, Aaron McGregor, Tupe Lualua

Auckland 1963. Three eleven year old boys meet in a cell in the Family Court. Two Māori and one Samoan: Wheels, Piwi, and a boy called Piano. Made wards of state, they are taken to Ōwairaka Boys’ Home. There begins a story of darkness, abuse and pain, but also resilience as the boys seek to survive through the power of friendship, culture, music and the human spirit.

Growing from the award-winning collaboration of The White Guitar’s creative team, Pacific NZ theatre company The Conch is proud to walk beside Fa’amoana John Luafutu and the Luafutu Aiga as they courageously bring the true story of Fa’amoana’s experience - alongside thousands of Māori and Pasifika children - into the light.

Written by Fa’amoana John Luafutu and Tom McCrory, and directed by Nina Nawalowalo, A Boy Called Piano builds on The Conch’s kaupapa of harnessing the power of theatre as a force for social change. Combining physical storytelling, breathtaking visual design, and elements from The Conch documentary film A Boy Called Piano - The Story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu (NZIFF 2022 and winner 2022 Montreal Independent Film Festival), the play stars Fa’amoana alongside his son Matthias Luafutu, Aaron McGregor, Rob Ringiao-Lloyd and the renowned Ole Maiava, plus a stunning score performed live by Aotearoa music legend Mark Vanilau.

 

A Boy Called Piano was first produced at BATS Theatre, Wellington on 04 October 2022
Developed in partnership with Auckland Live

 

*No Interval. Lockout applies. Content warning: offensive language, contains themes relating to abuse and suicide.

“It’s gripping, insightful and appeals to our humanity.” - Theatreview

"This play is a reminder how powerful theatre is." - Dominion Post