After years spent in the trenches of children’s birthday parties, these sock-puppeteering harlots demanded a kinder audience...
Lifelong friends since 2023 and longtime creative collaborators; Ava and Peggie have done it all. Balloon animals, face painting, close-quarters sleight of hand, far-quarters sleight of hand, you name it. They’ve found glitter in places you can hardly imagine. But heavy are the heads that wear the magician hats, and these witches needed a change. It was dressed as Anna and Elsa for the Wellington City Tākina Convention Centre Disney Princess Ball that they realised: they’ve gotta book some better gigs.
And by god did they. Hotsy-Totsy premiered at the 2026 New Zealand Fringe Festival to rave reviews and full houses. Check them out before they jet to San Diego and get rich selling tinsel or something weird like that.
This is a variety show for people that like seeing a variety of skills and talents if the variety of skill and talents you like are just Ava and Peggie.
- Winner - San Diego Fringe Tour Ready Award - NZ Fringe Festival 2026
- Winner - Spectacular Organised Chaos Award - NZ Fringe Festival 2026
- Nominee - Sydney Fringe Tour Ready Award - NZ Fringe Festival 2026
Performer/Choreographer: Ava O'Brien
Performer: Peggie Barnes
Co-Director: Katie Hill
Co-Director: Rachel McLean
Producer: Tom Smith
Sound/Lighting Designer: Alex Quinn
Set/Costume Designer: Ruby Carter
Created by Ava O’Brien and Peggie Barnes with Katie Hill and Rachel McLean.
Presenting Artist or Company
‘Hotsy-Totsy’ is brought to you by a collection of Pōneke-based award winning artists. Including performers Ava O’Brien and Peggie Barnes, directors Katie Hill and Rachel McLean, and producer Tom Smith as Believable Arts Management.
Believable Arts Management is an events coordination service provided by Tom Smith in Pōneke, New Zealand. As BAM, Tom provides management support to emerging creatives, allowing artists to focus on the art, not the admin.
Created and Performed by
Ava O’Brien and Peggie Barnes
Directed by
Katie Hill and Rachel McLean
Produced by
Tom Smith
Event Info
Important Event Information
Event restricted to audiences 18+.
Content Warning
“Peggie Barnes and Ava O’Brien are sexy clowns.”
Theatreview
“Lovers of vaudeville and a really well balanced double-act shouldn’t miss out on seeing it.”
Wellyott
