Pork and Poll Taxes 人頭猪税

Theatre

1 Mar

Written By Talia Pua

A play by Talia Pua

1890s New Zealand. A family struggling to forge a better life by sending their men to New Gold Mountain, must reconsider their beliefs on belonging, sacrifice and family when the father chooses to immigrate.

Role

Playwright

Director

Year

2021

Producers

Proudly Asian Theatre

Hand Pulled Collective

Funders

Creative New Zealand

Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust

Awards

Adam NZ Play Award Finalist, 2021

Winner of Playmarket’s b4 25 Play Award, 2022

Pork and Poll Taxes underwent development in 2020 thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand and Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.

It had its sold out premiere season at the Herald Theatre, Auckland, 2021.

Talia’s playwriting and directing debut, Pork and Poll Taxes, explores the early Chinese immigrant experience in New Zealand. Set in the 1890s amidst the backdrop of increasing civil unrest and poverty in China, and the mounting racism in New Zealand which culminates in the raising of poll tax from £10 to £100.

“I am forever grateful to my ancestors for the sacrifices they made, and their stories couldn’t be told better than through Pork and Poll Taxes.”

— Thomas Ding, Theatreview

“A moving tribute to those affected by the Poll Tax, and by divisive, racist immigration policies, Pork and Poll Taxes is a resounding success.”

— Jess Karamjeet, Theatre Scenes

Read their reviews here

Premiere Season Credits

Producer: Marianne Infante
Assistant Producer: Natalya Mandich-Dohnt
Directing Mentor: Chye-Ling Huang
Script Advisor: Renee Liang
Movement Director: Yin-Chi Lee
Language Coach and Cantonese Translator: Audrey Chan
Marketing Manager: Alyssa Medel-Khew
Stage Manager: Lisa Joe
Set Design: Micheal McCabe
Sound Design: Nikita Tu-Bryant
Costuming: Wilson Ong Jun Liang
Lighting: Paul Bennett
Props Design: Cinta Damerell
Photography: John Rata
Graphic Design: Alyssa Pua

Script Development Movement Workshop

Script Development Credits

Producer: Natalya Mandich-Dohnt
Mentors: Chye-Ling Huang & Marianne Infante, Proudly Asian Theatre
Dramaturgy: Renee Liang
Movement Director: Yin-Chi Lee
Script Advisor: Eleanor Bishop (Asian Ink)