Victorian Premiere
Immerse yourself in the heart of the Pacific with UPU - an award-winning, electrifying theatre experience, fresh from its sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House.
With powerful poetry, compelling storytelling and unforgettable performances, UPU brings the rich voices of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) to life – exploring cultural struggle, joy and identity across the islands.
Poems as broad and deep as the ocean itself, UPU – meaning ‘word’ in many different languages of the Pacific Islands – is a collection of voices from a people who are connected by the largest body of water on earth. Through the words of 23 poets, ranging from emerging voices to acclaimed literary figures, UPU weaves a rich tapestry of stories, experiences and perspectives from First Nations peoples of the islands.
These poems reflect on cultural identity, history and the challenges faced by Pacific communities – from Hawaiians debating Captain Cook’s legacy, to the joys of SPAM in Guam, to the Marshall Islands’ struggle against rising seas.
Enhanced by evocative lighting, projections and a multi-layered soundscape, UPU is an unforgettable experience – a celebration of the Pacific, its people, and their stories.
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
LX & AV Supervisor & Tech Operator: Jane Hakaraia
Stage Manager: Eliza Rutter
CAST
Maiava Nathaniel Lees
Fasitua Amosa
Ana Corbett
Nicola Kāwana
Mia Blake
Shadon Meredith
Kindred People is an Indigenous‑led gathering held on Boonwurrung Country, guided by Elders and an Indigenous Steering Committee. Each event sits within a broader program of ceremony, performance and knowledge exchange, grounded in respect for Country and the sharing of living Indigenous knowledges. These works invite audiences to listen deeply, learn together and come to the gathering with care.
