26th October 2026
Collaborate Management is delighted to celebrate New Zealand actor, puppeteer and theatre maker Talia Pua, whose original production The Girl Whose Twin Was a Bird was presented at Pesta Boneka #10 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 11 October 2026.
Created and performed by Talia, this imaginative production brings together puppetry, live cooking, storytelling and family history in a theatrical experience designed for audiences aged eight and over.
The story follows Petra Quek as she celebrates the fifth anniversary of her noodle stall, Flying Mee Hoon Kueh. Through food, puppets and storytelling, audiences are invited into a coming of age story about twinhood, family and belonging. The performance even concludes with an opportunity for audiences to taste the noodles featured in the production.
The international presentation is an exciting achievement for Talia, whose work as an actor, playwright, director, set designer and puppeteer continues to demonstrate her impressive creative range.
The Girl Whose Twin Was a Bird was first developed during Talia's two month residency with Indonesia's Papermoon Puppet Theatre in 2024. It is her third full length play and her first solo puppet performance.
As artistic director and cofounder of Hand Pulled Collective, Talia has built a creative practice dedicated to bringing overlooked stories and communities to the stage.
Her appearance at Pesta Boneka reflects the growing international reach of New Zealand theatre and the opportunities available to artists working across multiple performance disciplines.
We're incredibly proud to represent Talia Pua and celebrate her achievements both in New Zealand and internationally. Her combination of acting ability, physical performance, visual storytelling and puppetry makes her an exciting artist to watch.
© 2026 Collaborate NZ
