Faovale Imperium

A free, on gallery performance with poetry and music placing Pacific voices in the heart of the Museum alongside objects from our collection.

Join New Zealand Samoan / Welsh comedian James Nokise and DJ Don Luchito for a funny and thought-provoking exploration of the National Museum of Scotland’s Pacific collections 

The performance shares a counter-narrative to the epic voyages of Captain James Cook as he encounters the many cultures of the Pacific spreading ‘enlightenment’ to a people who lived in ecologically sustainable structures and knew how to sail without compasses… 

This is a modern and irreverent, reclaiming of Pacific storytelling. The two male performers themselves highlight the traditional absence of female representation in telling of these stories, but contemporary poetry from female Pacific artists fills this void.  

Faovale Imperium was originally inspired by the National Museum of Scotland’s Pacific Islands collections, and was devised specifically to be experienced in museum spaces. The show has recently toured New Zealand and returns home to our museum before a nationwide tour.  

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2024. 

Faovale Imperium is supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant programme and Creative New Zealand. 

• This is an informal, standing performance (60 minutes) with no seating provided unless required. Please let us know by emailing publicevents@nms.ac.uk if you require a seat. 
• Due to space restrictions in the Facing the Sea gallery, there is strictly limited numbers for each performance.  
• This performance is for people aged 14+.
• Sign up in advance on the day of the performance, from 14:30 beside the Feast Bowl in the Grand Gallery (Level 1, National Museum of Scotland). See museum map for further information.
• To ensure your place, return to the Feast Bowl 15 minutes prior to the start of the performance to collect your audience token.
• Prior to the performance, any big bags or backpacks will need to be stored in the museum's Cloakroom where there are self service lockers available. The Cloakroom is located in the Entrance Hall, beside the Information Desk on Level 0.
• The performance will take place in the Facing the Sea gallery, Level 3, National Museum of Scotland. 
• The audience will be using an escalator and glass lifts to travel from the Grand Gallery to the Facing the Sea gallery. Please advise staff if you would like assistance in using the lifts.
• If you have any further questions about this event, plesae email us at publicevents@nms.ac.uk.

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. 

• There is level access to the Museum via the main doors to the Entrance Hall on Chambers Street and the Tower entrance at the corner of Chambers Street and George IV Bridge.  
• Lifts are available to all floors and accessible toilets are available on Levels 0 and 3, as well as a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0. 
• Wheelchairs are available for loan at no charge. Please note wheelchairs cannot be booked in advance. On arrival, ask about availability at the Information Desk. Small mobility scooters are permitted inside the museum. 
• Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted. 

Find out more about our access information. If you have any questions about accessing this event, please email us in advance at publicevents@nms.ac.uk.