BLACKPILL
Written by Rachel McLean and performed by Zachary Klein.
In the deepest reaches of the online manosphere, incels (involuntary celibates) preach their dogmatic ideology, express profound hatred for women, and share their own pervasive loneliness. But what draws young men into these spaces, and why do they stay? This verbatim solo play takes you inside the forums where isolation turns to misogyny turns to violence.
Darkly funny and occasionally disturbing, blackpill interrogates an ideology that offers both belonging and misery.
After a critically acclaimed 2024 development season, blackpill has its world premiere at TAHI 2026.
Please note: There will be a Post Show Panel on September 10th.
Recommended 16+. Contains verbatim content from extremist forums, and as such includes content that may offend or disturb including but not limited to hate speech, expressions of body dysmorphia, and suicidal ideation. Audience discretion is advised. Contains flashing lights.
CREATIVE TEAM
Creator/Writer/Director: Rachel McLean
Performer: Zachary Klein
Producer: Ace Dalziel
Executive Producer: Nathan Mudge (Toi Factory)
Production and AV Design: Rebekah de Roo
Sound Design: Ben Kelly
Marketing Design: Matilda Klein
ABOUT RACHEL
Rachel is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based theatre-maker. She graduated from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in 2022 with a BA in Theatre and Psychology, where she was awarded the Dronke Prize for Drama. Since graduating she has performed in The Tempest (Wellington Summer Shakespeare, 2023), Top Girls (WRT, 2023), and HAUSDOWN (Inconceivable Productions, 2023-5). Further acting credits in 2025 and 2026 include Farrago Bazaar and Once Upon a Time in Homowood with Red Scare Theatre Company.
Rachel made her playwriting and directorial debut in NZ Fringe 2024 with the five time award nominated development season of blackpill (Toi Factory). In 2025 she directed and dramaturged the premiere production of Death, Ray. by Zachary Klein, which received nominations for Most Promising Emerging Company and the Parkin Development Award in the New Zealand Fringe Festival. In 2026 she co-directed Stupid Stupid with Katie Hill in the New Zealand Fringe Festival, which was awarded the San Diego Fringe Tour Ready and Spectacular Organised Chaos Awards.
Throughout 2025 and 2026 she has acted as dramaturg in the development of The Hunt for the Canterbury Panther by Anna Barker, which also premieres at TAHI Festival 2026.
