Too Much Hair
Presented by Butch Mermaid
Too Much Hair is a new musical cabaret about gender euphoria.
Anyone who has had a drain clogged by it, or found an errant follicle in an otherwise delicious food, will be able to attest to the frustrations hair can bring. When it comes to fashion and gender presentation, hair poses even more difficulties. Do you wear it long? Is that too feminine? What is an acceptable level of hair on various parts of one’s body? Do you shave your face, legs, or even arms? What about those pesky eyebrows?
Too Much Hair combines celebratory stories about gender identity and expression with the power of music. Don't miss this musical paradise for Thems, Femmes, Mens, and everyone in-between!
The title is inspired by a poem by Hone Tuwhare, from an edition illustrated by Ralph Hotere, where God is described as, 'A faceless /hermaphrodite /in turns /displaying /much /lovingness /much stern-ness /too much hair'.
Many of us, at one moment or another, have felt that we've just got too much bloody hair.
Created in conversation with the gender diverse community in Ōtautahi and Pōneke.
Featuring
Ania Upstill (they/them)
Ania is a graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre (Professional Training Program), Ania’s work celebrates LGBTQIA+ artists with a focus on gender diversity. In 2021, they co-created Queer ballet Sapphic Lake (BATS); Into the Bush, queer circus theatre at TAPAC in Auckland; Proud Voices, an international audio festival; and acted in Once (Court Theatre. Other performance credits include solo clown show Transhumance; In Many Hands (Brooklyn Academy of Music); Thou Shalt Not; and R+J: A Genderqueer/Female Reimagination.
William Duignan (he/him)
William is a graduate of the Victoria University of Wellington (Masters of Arts in Creative Writing), William has been working in musical theatre since 2010. Notable productions include: [title of show]; Phantom of the Opera; Grease; Kiwi Moon (Capital E), Rocky Horror Picture Show; and Once (The Court Theatre). As a writer and designer for theatre, notable projects include original musicals Boxed and WEiRdO, set design for Isaac’s Eye (Circa Theatre), and marketing design for BATS Theatre, Circa Theatre, Playmarket, Capital E, Basement Theatre, Q Theatre, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Jthan Morgan (she, he, ia)
Jthan is of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata and Samoan descent is a Poneke based takatāpui artist/performer/producer. JTHAN is known on the Wellington Theatre scene for her vocals, her curly fro and big personality. The ‘Diva with a heart of Marshmallow’ - JTHAN can often be found touring Aotearoa with Theatre for Children or performing on the waterfront at Circa Theatre as part of their annual pantomime! Recent credits include Presenting... The Tiwhas!, The Little Mermaid, CubaDupa, Story Studio Live, and Things I Know To Be True. Jthan is excited to be a part of the Too Much Hair whānau, and take up the challenge of learning to play BASS!
Felix Crossley-Pritchard (he/him)
Felix Is originally from North Wales and grew up in Aotearoa’s South Island. Felix Crossley-Pritchard moved to Wellington to study Stage & Screen Arts at Te Auaha in 2018, followed by further studies in the MFA Theatre course at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Felix has developed a passion for music-based theatre, creating both solo and collaborative pieces ranging from physical theatre to classical dance. Too Much Hair is an exciting new venture for Felix - combining an opportunity to explore new avenues as a performer, and a celebration of music-led storytelling.
