Metamorphosis: A Story of the MeSsY Middle - PREMIERE
Description
What if you took off all the masks you wear in life?
The roles, the labels, the expectations, the beliefs, the stories you've told yourself about who you are. What if you peeled them all back and brought the pieces left behind to the stage?
Welcome to METAMORPHOSIS, an original, improvised one-woman theatrical experience exploring the glorious, ridiculous, beautiful and sometimes downright messy business of being human.
We all have a beginning. We all have an ending. And in between? Well, that's where things get interesting.
From the moment we're born, we begin collecting identities. We learn how to behave, who we're supposed to be and what we're supposed to want. We grow up, fall in love, build families, chase dreams, make mistakes, accumulate a lifetime of stories and somehow try to make sense of it all.
And then life happens. A new beginning, an unexpected opportunity, a relationship, a baby, a loss, a crisis or a moment that turns everything upside down. Suddenly, who we thought we were might not fit any more.
Through comedy, cabaret, storytelling, song, dance, movement, spoken word and spontaneous improvisation, Soreya James brings the many facets of the human experience to life in an original theatrical performance that is as unpredictable as life itself.
Expect the unexpected.
There will be moments that are raw, confronting, uncomfortable, perhaps even shocking. There will be humour that catches you off guard, moments of tenderness, absurdity, beauty and stillness. Bursts of uninhibited expression, unexpected twists and perhaps even a little audience participation.
Moving between the light and the dark, the hilarious and the haunting, the outrageous and the deeply human, METAMORPHOSIS invites you into a world where anything can happen and nothing is quite as it seems.
Conceived, created and performed entirely by Soreya, every element unfolds in the moment. No conventional script, no fixed sequence and no two performances quite the same.
This is not a neatly packaged story of transformation. It's an exploration of what happens when the masks come off and we come face to face with the parts of ourselves we might rather avoid, alongside the parts we are only just beginning to discover. It travels through the dark and the light, the beautiful and the brutal, the confronting and the ridiculous. It gets messy, and perhaps that's where the most interesting things happen.
Prepare to be surprised, moved, challenged, amused and perhaps made a little uncomfortable. You might recognise yourself in places you weren't expecting.
METAMORPHOSIS is theatre about being human, and being human is rarely just one thing. ❤️
A HOMECOMING PREMIERE
Every story has a beginning, and it feels fitting that this one should begin at home.
METAMORPHOSIS premieres in Soreya's hometown, a place holding the memories, relationships and experiences woven through her life.
Bringing this work home for its first performance is a special full-circle moment, an opportunity to share something deeply personal that speaks to something universal, with the community and place that helped shape the story.
GIVING BACK
10% of all proceeds from METAMORPHOSIS performances will support the Metamorphosis Community Initiative, helping make places in future Metamorphosis Experiences available to people who may otherwise face financial barriers.
Further information about sponsored places and future opportunities will be shared following the premiere.
Session
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Seed, The Caterpillar and The Crysalis
- 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Cracking and The Butterfly
Created and performed by
Soreya James
Soreya is an artist, performer, storyteller and lifelong explorer of what it means to be human. A woman who has worn many hats and inhabited many roles, teacher, guide, facilitator, healer and mother, Soreya has spent more than 30 years working with people, exploring the body, mind and the many layers of human experience. Her own life has been anything but linear. Having navigated more than her fair share of life's challenges, unexpected turns, reinventions and experiences that have demanded more than she ever imagined, she brings a depth of lived experience, curiosity and a healthy dose of humour to her work. She knows a thing or two about the messy business of being human. Her world has been one of movement, music, dance, voice, storytelling and transformation. From yoga studios and retreat spaces to international communities and stages of human connection, she has spent much of her life creating spaces for others to explore, express and discover themselves. But there comes a point when the roles we've become so accustomed to playing start to loosen their grip. When the masks we've worn, the identities we've created and the stories we've told ourselves become something worth questioning. And perhaps it's time to play a different role. With METAMORPHOSIS, Soreya steps into the spotlight in a whole new way. An original, improvised one-woman theatre show bringing together comedy, storytelling, song, dance and the unpredictable nature of being human. This is not a neatly packaged story of transformation. It travels through the dark and the light, the beautiful and the brutal, the confronting and the ridiculous. It gets messy. It goes to places that aren't always comfortable. It explores what happens when the masks come off and we are left to face the parts of ourselves we might rather avoid, alongside the parts we are only just beginning to discover. Conceived in Whangamatā, a place woven through Soreya's life from childhood holidays and family memories to now calling it home, bringing METAMORPHOSIS here for its premiere feels like a full-circle moment. A chance to share a deeply personal story with a community and place that have been part of her journey across a lifetime. This is Soreya, without quite so many filters and perhaps a few fewer masks.
Gallery
FAQs
- Is there an age restriction?
Yes. Metamorphosis is an 18+ performance. The show explores adult themes, language and experiences and is intended for an adult audience. This applies to all performances, including matinees.
- What can I expect from the show?
Expect an unpredictable theatrical experience combining comedy, storytelling, spoken word, music, singing, dance, masks and improvisation. No two performances are quite the same!
- Is the show scripted?
No. Metamorphosis is an improvised performance. The show unfolds in the moment, with music selected live and woven into the experience.
- How long is the performance?
Performance duration and interval details will be confirmed closer to the event.
- Do I need to know anything about menopause or midlife?
Not at all. Although the show touches on menopause and midlife, Metamorphosis is ultimately about the universal human experience. Everyone has a story.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
