RUKAHU press release – for immediate release
Returning to Wellington on Tuesday November 15th comes RUKAHU, featuring comedian James Nokise's insane comic creation -
Jon Bon Fasi.
RUKAHU won the Best Theatre Solo and Makes You Think awards at the 2015 NZ Fringe Festival, where it was performed in a
found space on Cuba Street. It's BATS season will mark the shows first performance in a traditional theatre space, and
promises to up the chaos and comedy.
"Bon Fasi is a character that came from hanging out with Clown trained performers at international festivals over the
last couple of years. I'm always curious what we can get away with - both with the venue and with the audience."
RUKAHU is a show about a fictional artist Jon Bon Fasi - a senior pacific island performer - who has conned Creative New
Zealand into giving him a grant of $75,000 for his new project "RUKAHU: In Search of the Pacific". As the audience
arrives on opening night, it becomes clear expenses have definitely been spared on the production. But where did the
cash go? And how will a performer of such esteem justify this on his opening night?
Comedic, confusing, and ultimately confronting, RUKAHU blurs the lines between performer and character, truth and lies.
Jon Bon Fasi is on the edge of ridiculous and tragic, and subverts cultural expectations. Created with Theatre Mavericks
Jo Randerson and Erina Daniels the show is designed to surprise, delight and challenge.
James Nokise is an award winning stand up comedian who has performed around New Zealand, Australia and the United
Kingdom. This year he performed at the prestigious Stand venue in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Buskers Festival, Perth
Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe, Glastonbury Festival and was featured on BBC One. Winner of Best Male Comedian and Best
MC in 2013 at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards, Nokise’s blend of politics and comedy is as distinctive as his Samoan/Welsh
heritage. James Nokise is an important political voice in New Zealand comedy and arts, enthralling audiences with charm,
hilarity and savage satire.
RUKAHU BATS THEATRE – The Propeller Stage
November 15th- 19th 6.30pm (1 hr) $14-$20