When Kahu, Te Rina and Ariana lose their mum in a fatal car crash, they create a year-long lip sync list to hold their whānau together. The nightly lip syncs are compulsory - no matter what. 

But with the unveiling rapidly approaching, a distant father and tension in the whare rising – the fun and shimmer of a lip sync, kanikani or twerk off might not be good enough glue. 

Eldest daughter Kahu decides whether it’s worth staying with her sisters or better to get away from her alcoholic Pāpā. While a heated argument at dinner sends whāngai’d cousin Ariana packing to nan’s, the youngest, Te Rina tries desperately to keep the whānau together, being the bridge between Pāpā and everyone else. 

Between lip syncs, kanikani, twerk offs, karaoke, conquering the perfect potato bake, a silent dinner table, dodging a boyfriend who keeps climbing through the bedroom window and keeping the whare afloat, will the whānau survive to the end of the lip sync list? 

Award-winning play, “Lip Sync, Kanikani, Twerk Off!” tells the story of a whānau struggling with a huge loss, navigating womanhood and learning how to bring light to the hard times. A message to our rangatahi to speak out, keep hope and have a mean lip sync on the way home.  

• Warning - strong language, light and sound effects
• Suitable for audiences 16 years +

Written and directed by: Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana

A Tairāwhiti Arts Festival exclusive and world premiere

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Wheelchair seats must be reserved in advance, please ring 0508 iTICKET (484-253).

Please note there may be a lockout policy in place once the show starts, so please ensure you are on time.

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