Award-winning and electrifying theatre experience UPU celebrates Pacific voices on stage. Fresh from its sold-out Sydney Opera House season, UPU returns home as the first-ever Tagata Moana work at the Waikato Regional Theatre. Be immersed in the heart of the Pacific with a powerful celebration of our ocean, our people, and our stories.
Tickets go on sale at 12pm on Friday 12 December.
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: waikatoregionaltheatre.co.nz
Poems as broad and deep as the Pacific Ocean itself.
UPU - meaning ‘word’ in many languages of the Pacific, is a collection of voices from our people who live on a sea of islands connected by the vast Pacific Ocean, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
Featuring works by celebrated poets including Maualaivao Albert Wendt, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Hone Tuwhare, Tusiata Avia, and Ben Brown, alongside emerging voices from across the region, UPU weaves a rich tapestry of stories, experiences and perspectives from our peoples of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. These poems reflect on cultural identity, history and the challenges faced by our Pacific communities from Hawaiians debating Captain Cook’s legacy, to the joys of SPAM in Guam and other islands in the Pacific impacted by US militarisation and illegal occupation, to the Marshall Islands’ struggle against rising seas.
Poetry is powerful on the page - but on stage, it’s pure magic.
Performed by an extraordinary ensemble of Tagata Moana artists including Miriama McDowell, Jarod Rawiri and Nicola Kāwana, and enhanced by evocative lighting, projections and an original multi-layered soundscape design, UPU is an intimate and unforgettable celebration of our ocean, our people and our stories.
All poems are performed in English.
UPU
WAIKATO REGIONAL THEATRE, HAMILTON
THURSDAY 12 & FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY DECEMBER 12 AT 12PM LOCAL
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: www.waikatoregionaltheatre.co.nz
Run time
The duration of this event is 60 minutes.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Age
Recommended for ages 15+
Performances will contain strobe lighting, strong language and adult themes.
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
UPU features published works of the following poets:
Tusiata Avia, Ben Brown, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Craig Santos Perez, Sia Figiel, Briar Grace-Smith, Daren Kamali, Karlo Mila, Grace Mera Molisa, Noʻu Revilla, Celestine Kulagoe, John Pule, Tafea Polamalu, Leilani Tamu, Apirana Taylor, Teresia Teaiwa, Hone Tuwhare, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, Konai Helu Thaman, Albert Leomala, Maualaivao Albert Wendt and Lyz Soto.
CREATIVES
UPU COLLECTIVE
Artistic Director & Co-Creator: Fasitua Amosa
Curator & Co-Creator: Grace Iwashita-Taylor
Producer: Ana Corbett
Production Manager & Sound Engineer: Emily Hakaraia
Lighting & Projection Design: Rowan Pierce
Soundscape Design & Original Composition: Faiumu Matthew Salapu
Set Design: Michael McCabe
Costume Design: Kristin Seth
Artist & Cultural Design Elements (Mamanu Design): Tyla Vaeau
Movement & Choreography: Joash Fahitua
Tech Operator: Elekis Poblete
Stage Manager: Eliza Rutter
CAST
Fasitua Amosa
Ana Corbett
Nicola Kāwana
Miriama McDowell
Shadon Meredith
Jarod Rāwiri