Talofa Papa

After delighting audiences at Measina Festival, NZ Fringe, Kia Mau Festival, FRINGE WORLD, Adelaide Fringe Festival and Basement Theatre in Auckland, Talofa Papa is coming back to Wellington for one night only!

Written and performed by Kasiano Mita (Most Outstanding Performer, NZ Fringe 2018), Papa takes you on a journey with your grandparents in the comfort of your jandals. Expertly shaping the audience's story using Samoan culture and mischief, Papa takes you by the hand and transports you to a world of kindness and compassion.

Talofa Papa is a gorgeous interactive show for you and all your family with fun, laughter and a naughty fala. Don't be late to the party, and be ready to call your loved ones at the end of the night.

“Mita is amazing as Papa. His characterisation is perfect, from subtle nods of the head, to a stiffness of gait, from switching between praise and annoyance at his grandson, to inducing mild wariness in the audience family”
— Fourth Wall Media, Perth 2019

“This is the kind of show that has a lot of work in it that you can’t see, a lot of thought you might not consider, and a hell of a lot of love. When you see Talofa Papa, go with some people you love, go in with an open heart and an open mind. Be curious. Give as much as you get, and you might have an incredible theatre experience” — Radio Adelaide, 2019

“Kasiano Mita has created and shared a cultural experience remarkable for its generosity and inclusiveness” — Theatreview

Most Outstanding Performer - Kaisano Mita (NZ Fringe Festival 2018)
Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award - Talofa Papa (NZ Fringe Festival 2018)
Most Promising Emerging Company - The Co - Lab (NZ Fringe Festival 2018)
PANNZ Tour Ready Award - Talofa Papa (NZ Fringe Festival 2018) nominated
Most Promising Emerging Artist - Kasiano Mita (Wellington Theatre Awards 2019) nominated
Theatre Weekly Award - Talofa Papa (Perth FRINGE WORLD Festival, 2019)

Talofa Papa joins NZ Improv Fest as a work not traditionally considered improv - but one that embraces spontaneity and highlights the huge crossovers between what we consider theatre vs improv. We're thrilled to host it for 2020!

Creator/Performer: Kasiano Mita
Performer for NZIF season: Unity Brown
Producer: Vanessa Immink
Production Manager/Operator: Shaun Martin
Company: The Co - Lab

Emerging Pasifika artist, Kasiano Joseph Mita has played roles in productions from Shakespeare to Toa Fraser, and performed in the Measina Festival, New Zealand Fringe Festival, Kia Mau Festival, FRINGE WORLD Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival and at Basement Theatre in Auckland.

Kasiano graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Stage and Screen) from the Whitireia Performance Centre in 2016. With a keen interest in Physical Theatre, Kasiano has trained and worked under Annie Ruth, Richard Dey, Tanemahuta Gray, Patrick Godinet and Lynne Bradley. Kasiano recently was awarded “Most Outstanding Performer” in the 2018 New Zealand Fringe Festival for his role as Papa in Talofa Papa.

Iwi: Faleula, Samoa and Aitutaki, Cook Islands

The Co - Lab: The Co - Lab is a successful theatre company that provides a platform for emerging Māori and Pasifika theatre makers to tell their stories across the motu and overseas. We are known for project development, festival touring and community engagement. We’ve produced shows in Wellington, Palmerston North, Auckland, Perth and Adelaide.

NZ Improv Fest invites lovers of improvised theatre everywhere to join us in celebrating the art form we all know and love this 3-11 October, from wherever you are and wherever you're at. Join us in Wellington, or connect with us online, in a celebration of world class, local talent!

NZ Improv Fest: Close To Home takes place at BATS Theatre
Performance programme 6-10 October 2020
Workshops 3, 4, 10 October 2020

Don't miss a moment!