Ka whakahoki a Tupua he kōrero ia
whakarongo ki te tangi ra kua pahemo.

Te Tupua will come and speak,
Listen to this cry from the past.
Haere mai Te Tupua

A solo play written and performed by John G Davies

A Scottish sailor is shipwrecked on the coast of Aotearoa; the year is 1815.  Captured by a Māori hapu he lives as a slave,
a warrior, and a husband. It is a fight for survival, and such occurrences are present in the historical records and the oral histories of Iwi Māori.

John G Davies has 50 years of experience as a writer, director and actor and combines extensive research and intercultural theatre
practice into a dynamic solo performance that has captured and inspired the hearts of audiences throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

TE TUPUA - THE GOBLIN
Auckland Season 15 March | 27 April 2025

Te Tupua The Goblin Promo

Reviews and audience feedback

“Energy is high throughout.”
Theatreview Review by Hannah Molloy. 20th May 2024

“Intense, fast-paced tale of early colonial Aotearoa.”
Theatreview Review by Matt Keene, 16 Oct 2022

“A bracing dive into our collective history and imagination.”
Theatreview Review by John Anderson. 21 Oct 2021

RNZ Interview Culture 101, 5 May 2024

“John Davies is an experienced practitioner in devised theatre, a storyteller and a risk taker.
Using minimal props he relies on raw tools - the voice, the body, the imagination and the story. And what a well-told story it is.”

Gail Pittaway. Waikato Times 2003

“I really enjoyed it—moving, powerful, funny, skilful.” Dr Steve Mathews 

“We were gripped for the whole show, the story, the performance—absolutely outstanding!
Your piece is a gem that brought our spirits up!”
– Thomas (TAHI festival performance)

“Stunning. A really moving journey that brought me to tears at the end...” Rebecca Teele Kyoto.

“It’s a tour de force. Fantastic!” Nancy Shatzkin. New York.

“I am so moved by this performance. What an extraordinary work....thank you so much.
I am grateful for the efforts you made so I could see this. Well done...great work.”
Deborah Hunt.  Puerto Rico.

“Stunning acting, powerful messaging, startling ability to master a bilingual, multi-character role. So impressive.” Audience member – Christchurch

“The intercultural made it very beautiful because that’s who we actually are.”  Audience member – Kerikeri

“Tonight, I learned something about myself that I didn’t even know. Thank you.” Audience member - Cromwell