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THE SHOW

A love letter to the Māori showband legacy.

Join the award-winning entertainer, Rutene Spooner as he celebrates the greatest Māori showman, and tussles with the future of Māori in entertainment.

Featuring the flashest southern showband -The Tekīra Mutton Birds, Be Like Billy? strums up all new and original waiata, garage party classics and old-school hits from the likes of Uncle Howie, The Prince of Jandels and Te legend, Te master, Te chuckling funny-fala.

Be Like Billy? is everything but an impersonation show. Can you Be like Billy without being the butt of the joke? Aotearoa's newest Māori cabaret is hui-hopping to a top-town near you!

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Meet the Team

PREVIOUS SEASONS

  • 2023 Premiere Season

    CHRISTCHURCH | The Court Theatre Season

  • 2024 NZ Tour

    ROTORUA | Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival

    ŌTAKI | Māorilands Hub

    AUCKLAND | Kōanga Festival

    GISBORNE | Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival

    NELSON | Nelson Arts Festival

  • 2025 Tour & Festivals

    WĀNAKA | Wānaka Festival of Colour

    NEW PLYMOUTH | The Right Royal Cabaret Festival

  • "Be Like Billy? will surely go down as a true taonga [treasure] of Aotearoa's theatre history."

    Backstage Christchurch (Belinda Cullen Reid)

  • "Character changes were as quick as the flick of a towel and impersonations slick and accurate... a highly enjoyable show by an amazingly versatile performer."

    Otago Daily Times (Nigel Zega)

  • "An outstanding show, a fine performer... Rutene Spooner’s Be Like Billy?... is a tour de force... moving, it's funny."

    Theatreview (Lexie Matheson ONZM)

  • "Cheeky, cheerful, charming, amusing, musical – and moving."

    Theatreview (Lindsay Clark)