‘Allegedly’ a woman: Jonjon Tolovae brings her bold Pacific katas to the NZ Comedy Festival

Jonjon Tolovae has a simple observation about where she’s been placed for her debut at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.

The fa'afafine playwright and comedian is performing at The Cellar in Auckland's Q Theatre, an intimate basement space.

"They've put the biggest girl in the smallest room," Tolovae quipped during an interview on Pacific Days.

But for Tolovae, the setting fits a show about taking up space in every sense.

Her latest show, Man, I Feel Like a Woman, includes the playful, bracketed disclaimer: (allegedly). Though the name channels the spirit of Shania Twain, the real depth and charm of the production lie in that single word.

“I think that ‘allegedly’ is a little bit tongue-in-cheek- in terms of being fa’afine,” Tolovae explains. “Which we describe as a third gender in Sāmoa.”

Watch Jonjon Tolovae's full interview below.

“For some people, I would allegedly be a woman, but also allegedly, because…I won’t be the only persona on stage.”

For Tolovae, the show is a pivot on the exhaustion of navigating a world often built for and by men.

“I'm so tired of men that I didn't want to be one myself,” Tolovae laughs. “So, that's why, Man, I Feel Like a Woman.”

The performance is just as much a critique of the patriarchy as it is an exploration of Pasifika identity, refusing to play it safe.

Tolovae is leaning into the “kata’s (laughter) and conundrums” promising to delve into topics that are typically considered taboo within Pacific cultures.

Specifically, she plans to discuss sex with her mother in the crowd. Far from being a source of anxiety, she sees it as a testament to the supportive, evolving nature of her family.

“I use comedy to speak on my experience of that,” Tolovae says.

“So, knowing that my mum will be in the room, it's going to be a layer of funny as well. And I already warned her that this is what the show is going to be doing.”

Tolovae’s comedy draws from legendary acts such as The Laughing Sāmoans, The Naked Sāmoans, The Killer Kokonut Krew, and Fale Aitu (Spirit House) traditions in Sāmoa.

Jonjon Tolovae. Photo/Supplied

She says she is ready to take audiences on “a journey through the rhythmic magic of taro thighs clapping and asthmatic pauses”.

Tolovae says she faced much adversity and fear through her own journey of self-discovery and acceptance. But she is putting the years that “robbed her of her magic” behind her.

“I think why I'm really revelling in where I am now is because, not to get a little bit melancholic, but a lot of my fear robbed me of my magic prior, so now that's why I'm just going full throttle, all gas, no brakes, because I just have decided to not let fear take control of my journey.”

As she prepares to share breath and laughs with her audience, who will be seated just inches away, Tolovae wants people to feel connected.

“I hope that they see the humanness in being a fa'afine and being a brown comedian, and being plus size, and all the magical things that make us who we are.”

Jonjon Tolovae’s Man, I Feel Like a Woman runs on 19, 20, and 23 May at the Cellar, Q Theatre. Tickets are available here.