SURVIVE features three solo performances by queer Aotearoa artists, each delving into themes of identity, authenticity, and navigating the trials and triumphs of a life within the diverse LGBTQiA2+ spectrum.

These shows* include:

- ESCAPING, a gay exposé about living, loving, losing and learning. Written and performed by Adam Burrell. A development season of this show was presented at BATS Wellington in April.

- PRAY, a gay exposé about faith, fa’ataupati, fellas and fellatio. Written and performed by Vincent Farane.

- LADY SINGS THE OOO’S, a gay exposé with oooh’s and aaah’s, and ew’s and nah’s. Written and performed by Nanu Turner-Sarah.

*1 ticket gains entry to all 3 shows

SURVIVE is part of the HAU FESTIVAL [te Hī me te Hā] 2025, a two-week festival produced by Tuatara Collective made up of new original indigenous and LGBTQiA2+ stories told authentically. With generous support from the Auckland Council Creative Communities Scheme Festival Fund and the Basement Theatre, the festival features 5 events that celebrate the movement of the atmosphere, the winds of change and the shifting vibrations of energy and light.

Other shows include TĀNE RORE - a devised theatre experience celebrating the Māori atua (deity) of performing arts, and GARAGE PARTY -ft. Daughters of Ally, Liana Frangipani, DJ Ayesha and Bonnie Hurunui from White Chapel Jak - to sing in Matariki, the Māori New Year.

This is the second festival, the inaugural HAU [te Hī me te Hā] in 2022 presented the highly-acclaimed shows HINE-TE-RĒHIA and KA’A by Pati that received rave reviews.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER - TUATARA COLLECTIVE
Tuatara Collective is a charitable trust that provides space for Aotearoa artists to create and share stories with an authentic lens that celebrate Māori, Pasifika and LGBTQiA2+ communities. All projects are created to provide community and facilitate kōrero. Tuatara Collective has developed the Rātā initiative, an innovative arts practice supporting mental health in the arts industry (for artists and audiences). Professional mental health support is provided to all artists involved, and present at each show for the audience to engage with post-show. This is a core value of Tuatara Collective, and informs their kaupapa and mahi.

“Once artists and audiences alike have support within the spaces where they experience art, the quality of work will be elevated, improving community and audience engagement and participation.” - Jason Te Mete, Tuatara Collective

Te Mete says the intention for the HAU Festival was always to pay it forward - giving these artists a platform to present something new, original and meaningful. They feel hugely thankful to be able to support young artists at Basement Theatre and to help build and shape their ideas into kick-ass works of art that are not only entertaining, but pack a punch with political, cultural and social relevance too.

HAU
(noun) Vital essence, vitality of a person, place or object.
(verb) To be heard, resound, famous.
(verb) To exceed.
(noun) Wind, breeze, breath.