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Only Bones – Daniel Nodder

Solo Physical Theatre

An original contemporary physical theatre performance where a solo performer wordlessly explores a microscopic universe; stepping from world to world; from creation to destruction to recreation.

Accompanied by a mesmerising original score by Wellington-based composer and musician Ben Kelly, the audience is taken on a journey across the cosmos. The performance is minimalist, physical, silly, mesmerising, visually stunning, aurally captivating, and a joyous experience for audiences.

For 50 action-packed minutes, Daniel plucks different creatures, characters and moments in evolutionary history from the space-time continuum. From the Big Bang to the death of the dinosaurs; from the invention of fire to the face-melting effect of gravity; there's even an appearance from David Attenborough. You'll witness the ordinary become extraordinary, the strange become familiar, you'll see limbs bend in ways you never thought possible, and you'll absolutely never be able to look at your knees the same way again.

The Parameters

One performer. One light. No text. No set. No props. No narrative. All within 1m².

Only Bones – Daniel Nodder is the eleventh iteration of a series of solo shows grouped together under The Only Bones Project, created by world-renowned circus and physical performer, Thom Monckton in 2015. The project champions physicality and virtuoso performance and has since become a genre in itself with 11 high-calibre artists from a variety of performance backgrounds contributing their own versions (including Trygve Wakenshaw, Sampo Kurppa, Jenni Kallo and Marina Cherry). Each artist is invited to create their own show under a uniform set of parameters.

"Distilled. Wild. Cutting edge. I would see this twice."

– Theatreview, Dunedin 2025

"This is the type of show that you go to a fringe festival for." ★★★★½

– Arts Hub, Melbourne 2023

"It's adept and intensely funny, bold, clever and original."

– Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne 2023

"Some of the funniest physical gags I've seen in a long time [...] I left this performance with a big goofy smile on my face."

– Art Murmurs, Wellington 2023

"Believe me, you haven't seen anything like this before"

– Regional News, Wellington 2023

"We often forget we are watching a man with four limbs and not an amorphous jellied creature from the deep."

– Bad Apple, Auckland 2024

Accolades

Outstanding Performance, Dunedin Fringe 2025
Runner Up Best in Fringe, Dunedin 2025
Dance / Physical Theatre Award, Dunedin 2025
Most Innovative Show, Nelson Fringe 2025
Outside The Box Award, San Diego Fringe 2024
Artist Pick Award, San Diego Fringe 2024
Outstanding Solo Performance, NZ Fringe 2023
Tour Ready Melbourne Fringe, NZ Fringe 2023

Team

  • Performer & Creator – Daniel Nodder
  • Technical Manager & Light Designer – Rebekah de Roo
  • Composer & Sound Designer – Ben Kelly
  • Executive Producer & Concept – Thom Monckton
  • Executive Producer – Fay Van Der Meulen

Upcoming Seasons

Adelaide Fringe 2026 – 11-22 Mar Edinburgh Fringe – TBA

Previous Seasons

NZ Fringe Festival, Wellington – March 2023 (Premiere)

Melbourne Fringe Festival – October 2023

BATS Theatre, Wellington – November 2023

NZ Fringe Festival, Wellington – March 2024

San Diego International Fringe Festival – May 2024

Basement Theatre, Auckland – July 2024

Upsurge Festival, Kerikeri & Whangārei – September 2024

Nelson Fringe Festival – March 2025

Dunedin Fringe Festival – March 2025

Wairarapa Events Centre, Carterton – October 2025

For bookings & inquiries

onlybonesdanielnodder@gmail.com