Bones: One-man play, followed by a facilitated discussion with Julian Noel

"A masterclass in storytelling."

- Jackson Rosie, Theatreview

Nominated for 10 awards at the Nelson and Dunedin Fringe Festivals, BONES is an acclaimed one-man play co-created by Julian Noel and director Martine Baanvinger. Raw, funny and profoundly moving, Julian Noel brings eight unforgettable family members to life in a performance that has been hailed as "a tour de force" and "an unmissable piece of theatre."

With little more than a table, three chairs, a suitcase and a handful of everyday objects, an ordinary kitchen becomes a place where memories awaken, secrets surface and generations collide.

At its heart lies a simple but profound truth:

"At some point, someone in the family has to tell the truth."

While inspired by one family's story, BONES transcends culture, touching the universal experiences of love, loss, abandonment, belonging, resilience and forgiveness. It explores the invisible stories that shape our lives and the courage it takes to break cycles that have echoed through generations.

Audiences laugh, cry and often find themselves reflecting on their own families long after the final curtain. More than theatre, BONES is an invitation to remember, reconnect and discover that healing begins the moment someone is brave enough to tell the truth.

Stay after the performance for tea, scones, jam, cream and conversation, because some stories deserve to continue long after the lights go down.

Content advisory: This performance explores themes of domestic violence, sexual violence, loss and family trauma. While these events are not graphically depicted, some audience members may find the material emotionally challenging.

Parental guidance recommended. Suitable for audiences 16 years +

Ordinary Wonders includes a five-week programme of FREE workshops, performances, conversations, film screenings, and creative activities designed to celebrate connection, belonging, and the memories that shape our lives.

All events are FREE, but registration is encouraged, with limited places available for some workshops.

About Julian Noel

Julian Noel (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Torēhina) is a storyteller, actor, writer, spoken word performer and speaking coach who believes stories matter - that stories shape how we see ourselves, how we understand others, and how we make sense of love, suffering and the mystery of being alive.

For more than 40 years, Julian has created theatre, poetry and performances that invite audiences to laugh, reflect and recognise something deeply familiar. His award-nominated one-man play BONES, co-created with Martine Baanvinger and directed by Baanvinger, has emerged as a powerful and widely acclaimed work in Aotearoa theatre. Following successful seasons at the Nelson and Dunedin Fringe Festivals, BONES received ten award nominations, including Best Show, Best Actor and Best Director, and won the Dunedin Fringe Beyond Words Award (UNESCO City of Literature) and a Most Promising Award. Theatreview described the production as "a masterclass in storytelling."

Julian trained as an actor at the West Australian Institute of Technology and the Victorian College of the Arts before performing professionally across theatre, television and film in Australia. He later founded and led an international business, facilitating hundreds of events and coaching speakers, including those preparing for TED-style presentations.

Now based in Aotearoa, Julian's work draws on his upbringing in the Kaihu Valley and his Māori heritage. Through humour, vulnerability and unflinching honesty, he creates stories that resonate deeply with audiences and remind us of our shared humanity. Julian believes the greatest stories don't simply entertain us—they return us to what matters most.

Learn more at www.bonestheplay.com.