When people ask what my job, is it can be tricky to explain. The short answer is, I programme plays, then work with groups of artists to get them on stage. Being the artistic leader of a company can be daunting, you’re tasked with deciding what work you think is of value for an audience in any given year; what will connect with people, expand people’s thinking, and enrich their lives.
I’ve always found it works best when I’m dialled into my own curiosity as a person, which has made programming a deeply personal process for me. Over the last eleven years, the seasons I have presented have inevitably reflected my own attractions, concerns, questions, losses, discoveries, and joys. They have mapped my own life experiences in many ways.
As I come to the end of my time at Silo, and the closing of a big chapter in my life, I’ve been drawn to stories that examine what it means to evolve. What does that look like over the course of a lifetime, and how can we continue to challenge the limited thinking that who we are, or what we are capable of, is fixed.
There is also the theme of motherhood in its many forms across the season. What does it mean to mother, to be mothered, to be unmothered. This is explored in different ways in these four productions: biological mothers, reluctant mothers, terrible mothers, wonderful mothers, drag mothers, Papatūānuku. These are stories and artists that are expansive, extending their arms to you.
Life continues to be difficult for many people and the world feels scary, unstable, and increasingly dystopian. The 2025 season is life affirming, tender, funny, fearless, and populated by artists who bring joy and colour into the world through their work.
For my final season I have tried to focus on work that encourages us all to live distinct, audacious, and intentional lives. That is what I’d like to leave you with. I hope these works make you feel big feelings, that they make you feel brave, that they make you feel part of the world. Being part of Silo has made me feel all these things and so much more.
Ngā mihi nui
Sophie Roberts Artistic Director
SPEED IS EMOTIONAL
BY JO RANDERSON
Presented in collaboration with Barbarian Productions
Jo Randerson has always lived life at high voltage. A true arts polymath, they have accumulated achievements and accolades as a
Jo has a brain that never stops and a fountain of restless energy fuelling their fiercely funny artistic voice. And the spring that feeds that fountain? A lifelong superpower, which they had diagnosed in their 40s alongside their son: ADHD.
In Speed is Emotional Jo bares their soul, sharing the exhilaration, exhaustion, joy, and absurdity of living and parenting with neurodiversity. Jo weaves their punk poetic magic into a beautiful comedy about transcending labels and living with a voltage so high it’s going to blow the mains.
Speed is Emotional isn’t just a performance – it’s a revelation.
Direction: Isobel MacKinnon
Design: Kae Ashworth, Bekky Boyce, Steven Junil Park, Elliot Vaughan
Performance: Jo Randerson, Elliot Vaughan
Presented with support from the New Zealand Comedy Trust
Performer Comedian Writer Activist Director Curator
Theatremaker Filmmaker Witch Clown
TANIWHA
CREATED & COMPOSED BY LEON RADOJKOVIC
Presented in partnership with Auckland Live
On a bustling building site in Aotearoa, something extraordinary is stirring – the ground is shaking, the hills are shifting, and huge blue mushrooms are growing out of the portaloos! There are two shifty men in suits skulking around town, but Mereana and her tenacious buddies are on the case…
When they discover a taniwha in their neighbourhood is being disturbed by new construction, Mereana knows it’s up to them to stop the development and protect its home.
With a score by award-winning composer Leon Radojkovic, invoking the spirit of 80s and 90s adventure flicks and Miyazaki anime, Taniwha is an audacious Aotearoa adventure for the whole whānau – a tale of courage, community, environmental guardianship, and fighting for what’s right.
From the creators of Silo Theatre’s much-loved production of Peter and the Wolf, in collaboration with visual artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole (Wharenui Harikoa), Taniwha bursts onto the stage in vibrant technicolour, packed with live music, puppetry, and videography. Featuring a revolving cast of narrators, get ready for a one-of-a-kind, magical experience in the theatre.
Suitable for anyone aged 5 and up.
Direction: Sophie Roberts
Musical Direction: Leon Radojkovic
Design: Jon Coddington, Rachel Marlow, Lissy & Rudi Robinson-Cole, Daniel Williams
Mātauranga Māori & Climate Consultation: Dr Dan Hikuroa
Commissioned by Silo Theatre with support from Creative New Zealand and Silo Theatre Patrons
THE MILFORD ASSET MANAGEMENT SEASON OF
MOTHER PLAY
BY PAULA VOGEL
A play in five evictions.
Meet Phyllis, the Herman family matriarch, armed with gin and cigarettes, clinging to long-unfulfilled dreams. Her children, Carl and Martha, are on the cusp of adulthood in a rapidly changing America, ready to spread their wings and embrace new freedoms – but they’re not getting away from Mother that easily.
Set against a backdrop of societal upheaval and spanning over four decades, whip-smart dialogue and surreal comedy give way to painful vulnerability as the Hermans expose their roots and move house again. And again. And again.
Phyllis might tolerate the cockroaches, landlords, and casual violence that permeate their existence, but can she handle the new-found sexual liberation of the 70s and 80s invading her own home? Being confronted by her children’s evolving identities might just drive her over the edge.
Mother Play is an absurd, funny, and unflinching exploration of family, identity, and the ties that both bind and break us, from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel (How I Learned to Drive). A poignant and hilarious new American classic for the 21st century.
Hot off its critically-acclaimed run on Broadway in 2024, Mother Play makes its Aotearoa debut with Silo in 2025 and stars theatre legend, Jennifer Ludlam.
Direction: Sophie Roberts
Design Includes: Tautahi Subritzky
Performance: Jennifer Ludlam, Amanda Tito, Leon Wadham
Presented with support from Q Theatre
D.R.A.G
DRESSED RESEMBLING A GOD
CREATED BY DANIEL WILLIAMS & SOPHIE ROBERTS WITH ADENA DELIGHTS & HUGO GRRRL
Welcome to Lady T’s – (allegedly) the longest-running drag revue in Aotearoa – a world teeming with fabulous, wild, and outrageous creatures. With the club’s doyenne on her way out the door, three drag superstars are ready to snatch her crown!
In a night of drag, music, and joyous rebellion, Q Theatre Loft will transform into the best drag club this side of Karangahape Road, brought to life by longtime Silo designer Daniel Williams in his theatre directing debut.
Starring leading Aotearoa drag performers Hugo Grrrl and Adena Delights, each show will spill the tea, speak truth to power, and feature a different special guest from the expansive Aotearoa queer community.
Silo invites you to witness this celebration of queer excellence and discover who will claim victory in Lady T’s royal smackdown. Close out 2025 with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent in this dazzling tribute to the artistry and activism of Aotearoa drag.
Silo proudly presents the world premiere of D.R.A.G (Dressed Resembling a God).
Direction: Daniel Williams
Design Includes: Sean Lynch, Micheal McCabe
Performance Includes: Adena Delights, Hugo Grrrl
Guest Performance: Amanaki Prescott-Faletau, Anita Wigl’it, Brady Peeti, Bryony Skillington, Buckwheat, Chris Parker, Freya Silas Finch, Hannah Tasker-Poland, Janaye Henry, Medulla Oblongata, Nī Dekkers-Reihana, Sean Rivera, Tom Clarke, Tom Sainsbury, and more to be announced
Presented with support from Q Theatre
Commissioned by Silo Theatre with support from Creative New Zealand and Silo Theatre Patrons
ANY SHOW. ANY SEAT. ANY DATE. ONE PRICE. THAT’S THE SILO SUPER PASS.
The Silo Super Pass is the ultimate way to experience our 2025 season. See each show as many times as you like, sit in any available seat, and book whenever takes your fancy — it’s everything you love about a Season Membership, but with more flexibility, more value, and most importantly, more theatre.
Each Super Pass is $199. Attend each show in our 2025 season once, and save over 30% on public pricing. For die-hard Silo fans, come to every performance in 2025 and save 96% — that’s over $6000 value if you’re up for the challenge!
To sweeten the deal, you’ll also receive a limited edition, enamel Silo pin — the perfect merch for any theatre lover.
To learn more, and purchase your Super Pass, head to: silotheatre.co.nz/article/super-pass
2025 AT A GLANCE
D.R.A.G (DRESSED RESEMBLING A GOD)
Q Theatre, Rangatira 305 Queen Street
Preview: 04 Sept Opening: 05 Sept
Tue–Sat: 7pm Sun: 5pm
Matinees: Sat 13 & 20 Sep: 3pm
Q Theatre, Loft
Preview: 13 Nov Opening: 14 Nov
Tue–Thu: 7pm Fri*–Sat: 6.30pm & 9pm Sun: 5pm
*Excl. Opening
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It takes a village to get our work on stage — from our core Silo team and the practitioners we collaborate with, to our funders, partners and venues. Through the many different contributions we receive, we’re able to present exceptional theatre experiences for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond.
Our beloved Silo Patrons, and their financial support, are a very important part of that village.
Silo Patrons are passionate individuals who believe in our work and feel strongly about supporting a visionary creative culture in Aotearoa. They are our extended family with unique access to the company via our Patron exclusive events — they listen, advise, congratulate, share in our mission, and cheer us on.
Government funding and ticket sales provide almost enough for us to keep doing what we do, but not quite. Donations fill the shortfall and provide Silo with the much-needed funds to deliver the theatre you love.
Go on, join the Silo family.
If you’d like to become a Patron, or make a one-off donation, head to: silotheatre.co.nz/support
Annual Patronage starts at $1000. All donations are tax deductible and appreciated more than you know. Silo Theatre Trust is a Registered NZ Charity (CC: 24374)
Artistic Director
Sophie Roberts
Executive Director
Tim Blake
Marketing & Partnerships
Manager
Jordan Dickson
Programme Manager
Nahyeon Lee
Accounts Administrator
Michelle Hall
Finance Manager
Kerry Coldicutt at Fantail Finances Ltd
Publicity
Elephant Publicity
Silo Theatre Trust
Greg Fahey (Chair)
Fasitua Amosa
Kaan Hiini
Beth McKay
Design & Art Direction
Colenso BBDO
Angela Watson
Mike Davison
Stella Wilson
Olwen Hopley
Ella Bilham
Photography
Frances Carter
Hair & Makeup
Jessica Hunt
Adena Delights
Hugo Grrrl
Words
Tim Blake
Sam Brooks
Jordan Dickson Nahyeon Lee
Sophie Roberts
Taualeo’o Stephen Stehlin MNZM
Rosabel Tan
Tessa Yeoman
Web silotheatre.co.nz
@silotheatre admin@silotheatre.co.nz
Post PO Box 7752
Victoria Street West Auckland 1142
Office
Silo Theatre
Samoa House 283 Karangahape Road
Silo Theatre respectfully acknowledges Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, mana whenua of central Tāmaki Makaurau.
Mother Play is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
