Whānau

To kick off the Māori New Year Toitoi and Tahi Festival present Whānau, directed by Sally Richards and Kerryn Palmer.

"Whānau is a rich and profound experience." John Smythe, Theatreview

Following a sell-out season at the 2021 festival, TAHI presents its new work, Whānau.

Whānau is an energised, hour-long show where four actors take on a selection of Aotearoa’s most iconic solo characters carried by song and movement transition.

Whānau takes us on a journey from absent dads to matriarchal nanas, family feuds to miracle babies. Whānau lifts the lid on the complexity of family relationships from disastrous to delicious; featuring extracts from ten brilliant New Zealand solo shows: Island Mafia by Vela Manusaute, HOME by Felix Desmarais, Shot Bro by Rob Mokaraka, Not in My Neighbourhood by Jamie McCaskill, No. 2 by Toa Fraser, Michael James Manaia by John Broughton, Eloise in The Middle by Emily Duncan, Daylight Atheist by Tom Scott, Batter UP by Melissa Sutherland and She Danced on a Friday by Nicola Pauling

"In the hour-and-a-bit that follows they treat us to 13 exquisitely personified monologues, each offering a distinctive perspective on being part of a whānau/family." John Smythe, Theatreview

"I could have happily watched this group of talented actors telling their uniquely Kiwi stories with genuine pathos and humour well into the night." Tanya Piejus, Eyes on Wellington

Content Warnings: Miscarriage, Violence, Adoption, Depression and Suicide. Recommended age is 13 years and older.