Social Animal
Created by Stephen Papps and Damon Andrews. Performed by Stephen Papps.
DETAILS
Dates: Thursday 18 September - Saturday 20 September 2025
Time: 8:00pm
Where: Te Auaha (Tapere Iti), 65 Dixon St
Duration: 60 minutes
Audience care: Recommended for audiences aged 13+.
Presented in partnership with Te Auaha.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks... can you? Biting satire and theatre wizardry fuse in a comically inventive roller-coaster about the fear of irrelevance and the healing power of an animal. Award-winning actor, writer, and solo performer, Stephen Papps, plays twelve characters with beguiling virtuosity, in this gloriously funny solo tour de force about a man who loses face in a desperate attempt to regain his relevance.
“It’s impressive for a performer to embody a big range of characters ... well-written and full of humorous insights and revelations ... glorious!” – Cate Prestige, Theatreview.
CREATIVE TEAM
Performer / Writer: Stephen Papps
Director / Writer: Damon Andrews
Tech: Jack Tankersley
Photographer: Meek Zuiderwyk
Social media: John Simmons
Stephen Papps is a celebrated actor with over 35 years’ experience across stage, screen, and solo performance. He won Best Actor at the NZ Film Awards for his role in End of the Golden Weather, and has performed internationally with his critically acclaimed solo show Blowing It, including seasons at the Edinburgh Festival and Sydney Opera House. Stephen has worked with leading NZ theatres, and is known for roles in Shortland Street, Xena, Spartacus, and Fresh Eggs. Social Animal is his fourth self-written solo work.