Theatre Production TALOFA PAPA Heads To Auckland

After sell-out, award winning seasons in the 2018 New Zealand Fringe and Kia Mau Festivals, and hot off their FRINGE WORLD and Adelaide Fringe Festival tour, Talofa Papa is making its way to Basement Theatre in March 2019.

Talofa Papa, written and performed by Kasiano Mita (Most Outstanding Performer, NZ Fringe 2018), takes you on a journey with your grandparents in the comfort of your jandals. Generous and poignant, this is a communal experience with its heart set on reminding you to slow down and breathe in the rich idea of family.

Talofa Papa follows the title character, Papa, who is setting up the room for a surprise celebration. Papa greets his family (the audience) as they arrive, playing games, sending them to the naughty fala (mat) if they misbehave, while reminding them of their Samoan heritage and culture. Talofa Papa is a heart- warming, audience interactive show which will make you want to call your grandparents immediately after the show has finished.

Talofa Papa was a crowd favourite in the New Zealand Fringe Festival and managed to scoop up three awards. Mita was awarded "Most Outstanding Performer", Talofa Papa was awarded the "Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award" and the Production Company, The Co - Lab, was awarded "Most Promising Emerging Company".

After the sell-out season in NZ Fringe Festival at BATS Theatre, Talofa Papa also had a return season as part of the Kia Mau Festival. Mita was also nominated for "Most Promising Emerging Artist" at the 2018 Wellington Theatre Awards.

Reference: In Samoan language "Talofa" means hello, "Papa" is father/grandfather and "fala" is a weaved mat.