‘And he's coming in with the steel chair!’ From award-winning writer and performer Nick Tipa (Kāi Tahu) comes Babyface, a solo play about big-time wrestling and small-town Aotearoa. Whiplash is a professional wrestler and is the heavyweight champion of the world. Kahu is a 10-year-old boy and has just moved with his parents to a new town. What do they have in common? They are
the same person.

Directed by Sara Georgie, and with music and sound design by Zac Nicholls (Koizilla, Space Bats, Attack!) and dramaturgy by Bronwyn Wallace (Late Bloomers), Babyface explores one boy's experience of growing up, fitting in, and landing a suplex in rural Aotearoa.

Part stageplay / part wrestling show, Babyface, debuted to a sold-out season at Dunedin’s New Athenaeum Theatre as part of the 2025 Dunedin Fringe Festival. Following this, the play took home numerous awards at the Fringe awards night, before also taking the Best Production award at the 2025 Dunedin Theatre Awards.

"With this solo play, Tipa offers a performance that can’t be missed—his enraptured audience teetering between uproarious laughter and breathless awe at his many comedic and athletic feats." - Ellen Murray, Theatreview

"All in all, Babyface is a fantastic, high energy, very funny show, with a loveable character at its heart." - Brenda Harwood, Otago Daily Times

"The wairua is good: Babyface bodyslams you back to childhood then gives you a cuddle to make sure you’re okay." - Erin Harrington, Flat City Field Notes

So paint your signs, put on your favourite wrestling t-shirt, and let's get ready to rrrrrumble!