D’Things N Such: Artist showcases at the Fringe

When they say good things come in threes, remember the name Seiyan Thompson-Tonga.

Invercargill-born Thompson-Tonga, who has Kūki ‘Āirani and Māori heritage, is making his stage debut on Thursday night at Wellington’s Bats Theatre with his show, D’Things N Such.

Cast member Caleb Teaupa (Tonga/Māori) and director Thompson-Tonga share with 531pi Island Time host Tofiga Fepulea'i what their show is about.

The performance is being described as a comedy that pushes the boundaries, “pokes the belly of the agitated grizzly bear”, and defies the norms of traditional theatre.

Feeling underwhelmed by much of the theatre he has experienced, Thompson-Tonga wrote D’Things N Such to change that.

“This is no offense to any artists or any creatives out there, but I went through a phase of really not liking theatre.

“I felt like it became predictable and I was bored. And I was like, ‘What would I want to watch?’”

Thompson-Tonga draws inspiration from today’s short, fast-paced social media culture, aiming to replicate that feeling on stage.

Watch the full interview with D'Things N Such playwrighter Seiyan Thompson-Tonga and cast member Caleb Teaupa on 531pi's Island Time below.

He wants audiences to be on the edge of their seats, unsure of what will happen next.

“I'm watching someone do a ‘Get Ready With Me’ video in the morning. Now I'm watching someone play chess.

“What does that look like to have all these things in the world that are present and put it in a show where people don't know what's coming next?

“They can't relax and sit in their chairs.”

Teaupa and Thompson-Tonga are recent graduates of the prestigious Toi Whakaari arts and drama school. While students, they became flatmates and grew familiar with each other's creative processes.

D’Things N Such features an ensemble of three actors, with fellow Toi Whakaari graduate Brett Taefu completing the trio.

D'Things N Such cast (from left) Brett Taefu, Caleb Teaupa, Seiyan Thompson-Tonga. Photo/BATS Theatre

Teaupa, who excels in improvisation, describes the show as “a game of cat and mouse with the audience”.

“This is a show that's really playful. It's kind of playing tag with the audience. The performers are on their feet all the time trying to keep the ball up,” he laughs.

“Oh, it's just chaotic, and it's high energy. It's fun. It's funny. A lot of comedy, a lot of improv, a lot of vulnerability.”

With so many different energies packed into one show, Wellington audiences are in for a wild ride.

D’Things N Such is showing at Bats Theatre from 6-8 March, and tickets are available from bats.co.nz or through the Wellington Fringe Festival.