Bones

"A masterclass in storytelling." – Theatreview "Julian Noel stands alone on stage but carries the presence of generations—living, dead, silenced and roaring." – Ingrid Campbell Nominated for 10 awards at the Nelson and Dunedin Fringe Festivals, Bones is an acclaimed one-man play co-created by Julian Noel and directed by Martine Baanvinger. Raw, funny and profoundly moving, Julian Noel brings eight unforgettable family members to life in a performance that is both intimate and epic. With little more than a table, three chairs, a suitcase and a handful of everyday objects, an ordinary kitchen becomes a place where memories awaken, secrets surface and generations collide. At its heart lies a simple but profound truth: At some point, someone in the family has to tell the truth. Bones transcends culture, touching the universal experiences of love, loss, abandonment, belonging, resilience and forgiveness. It explores the invisible stories passed from one generation to the next, and the courage it takes to break cycles that have shaped families for decades. Audiences laugh, cry and often find themselves reflecting on their own family long after the final curtain. More than theatre, Bones is an invitation to remember, to reconnect and to discover that healing begins the moment someone is brave enough to tell the truth. Stay after the performance for tea, scones, jam, cream and conversation, because some stories deserve to continue long after the lights go down.

Bio Julian Noel is a writer, actor and storyteller who believes that telling the truth is one of the most powerful acts of theatre. For more than forty years he has worked across theatre, television, film and community arts, creating work that is honest, courageous and deeply human. His acclaimed one-man play Bones , co-created with director Martine Baanvinger, was nominated for ten awards across the Nelson and Dunedin Fringe Festivals. Julian's work transcends culture, inviting audiences to laugh, cry and recognise something of themselves in every story he tells. He lives in Queenstown, Aotearoa New Zealand, where he continues to write, perform and develop new work exploring what it means to be fully human.