Hagley Theatre School Presents: UBU
Description
Hagley Theatre School Presents UBU: A bold and provocative reimagining of Alfred Jarry's controversial satire.
In 1896, Ubu Roi infamously debuted to a riot at the Nouveau-Théâtre in Paris. The opening night was so vulgar and disruptive that it was only performed twice before being removed from the theatre’s program entirely.
The class of Hagley Theatre School's 2026 One-Year Acting Training course are excited to announce that they're bringing it back! Ubu Roi is a pre-surrealist comedy of grotesque tyranny and political disaster. As relevant now as ever before, feast your eyes as UBU tears its way into the 21st century landscape of Aotearoa. Join Pa and Ma as they terrorise the stage with a flood of blood, death, and CRRRRRRRRAP!
Ubu Roi represented a historical shift that celebrated an actor-centred approach to theatre. Witness our graduating creatives put their laboratory-style training in mask, clown, bouffon, and more, to the test. Playing for a limited time from December 1st-3rd at Altiora | The Arts Centre.
CONTENT WARNING: UBU contains coarse language, outrageous behaviour, depictions of death, and large amounts of intentionally silly violence.
Special thanks to our boosted donors! Our campaign is still live for those who wish to help make this project happen: https://www.thearts.co.nz/boosted/projects/ubu
FAQs
- Who's behind UBU?
UBU is directed by Dr. Pedro Ilgenfritz and assistant directed by Josiah Morgan.
Written by Alfred Jarry
Dr. Pedro Ilgenfritz is a theatre scholar, educator, and practitioner with extensive experience in creative, educational, and research settings. Originally from Brazil, he moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2000. His expertise lies in acting training, theatre creation and directing, preparing young performers for professional careers.
Josiah Morgan (he/him, Kāi Tahu / Ngāti Maniapoto) is a poet, actor, drama teacher, performance artist, facilitator, reviewer, editor and writer from Ōtautahi Christchurch. He is the author of five books, including most recently i’m still growing (Dead Bird Books, 2024). His creative practice is guided by a firm belief in the existence of magic. He is the playwright of Faust On Trial with Jonty Coulson and Stella Cheersmith. His recent performance work includes Let The Right One In (The Court Theatre), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Auckland Pride) and O Que Iremos Fazer (Experimental Dance Festival).
Hagley Theatre School 2026 Class/Performers:
Aliska de Jager, Eris Wright, Ethan Berrill, Hugo Hall, James Hunter, Jayden McIntyre, Lexi Rowe, Makayla Smith, Nasim Hediyehlo, Nick Cheesebrough, Parth Gadhavi, Poppy Joy, Ruitong Lui, Rhys White, Sapphire Lamont, Shere Khan Silver, Whanaroa Verrian-Green
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
