A cow, a butcher and a love story: ‘Mama Moo’ in Auckland

A widowed butcher, the ghost of his dead wife, an animal rights activist and a cow who returns from the dead, Prayas Theatre’s latest Auckland production uses an unlikely love story to explore compassion, guilt and the contradictions in our beliefs.

Imagine a cow as a central character who comes back to haunt you, and then offers to help you find true love.

That is the premise behind Mama Moo, an absurdist romantic comedy premiering at TAPAC from September 21 to 26.

A Prayas Theatre production, Mama Moo sees the Auckland-based South Asian theatre company explore a new genre this year. One that sits “at the intersection of comedy and absurdist theatre, complete with paranormal elements, live music and a whole lot of heart.”

(L-R) Nikita Varma as Sheetal, Rishabh Kapoor as Siddhant, Karishma Grebneff as Sara in Mama Moo/Supplied/Credit: Ankita Singh
and Calvin Sang

“And after 20 years, Prayas was ready to offer a new genre - an absurdist comedy,” Prayas co-founder Sudeepta Vyas told The Indian Weekender.

Written by Auckland-based Indian novelist and screenwriter Nimish Tanna and directed by Margaret-Mary Hollins, the play follows Siddhant (Rishabh Kapoor), a widowed butcher and hopeless romantic who can see and hold meaningful conversations with his dead wife.

But things take an even stranger turn after Siddhant slaughters a cow named Mama Moo.

Mama Moo returns with a proposition, she will help him win the heart of Sara, one of New Zealand’s most committed animal rights activists, on a condition that Siddhant must save the life of Mama Moo’s calf, Mercy.

At its heart, the story explores compassion, curiosity and hope. It is a play about love and guilt, and the very real possibility that the ghost of a cow might be a better life coach than any human being you will ever meet.

Dinner debate to the stage

“Mama Moo was born from a work-dinner-gone-wrong, " Indian Auckland novelist and screenwriter Nimish Tanna told The Indian Weekender, who wrote it in 2021.

Tanna said a dinner conversation turned into a debate between vegetarians and meat-eaters, prompting him to start researching food choices and the cultural, ethical and habitual motivations behind them.

“The 6-month long research took me into a rabbit hole of information, but more importantly, it helped me identify a story that was waiting to be told.”

Mama Moo herself becomes a metaphor for human conscience, with the absurdity of the premise allowing the play to delve into much more serious questions.

Tanna said that while he wants audiences to enjoy the production, he also hopes they immerse themselves in its world and consider the ideas it raises.

“I would want them to inspect the contradictions of our beliefs with genuine curiosity and make space for perspectives that challenge us. At the very least, I aspire for this story to become a conversation-starter.”

‘Wildly original characters’

Director Margaret-Mary Hollins said she was drawn to the play's unconventional characters, humour and the message beneath its absurdity.

“immediately drawn to its wildly original characters and its fearless humour. Beneath the absurdity is a powerful call to protect the animals on the planet we share,” she shared.

Hollins said the cast has embraced the unusual world of Mama Moo during rehearsals.

“There is so much extraordinary talent in the room.”

With Carla Newton playing Mama Moo and Rishabh Kapoor taking on the role of Siddhant, Hollins described the rehearsal room as a “playground to take risks and support one another. It's very joyous. But hey, this is a PRAYAS production, so that is inevitable.”

Prayas has also been offering audiences glimpses behind the scenes, sharing rehearsal and practice videos, posters and character-based content ahead of the production.

Prayas cyas believes the contemporary and unconventional nature of the show could particularly connect with younger audiences.

“They can expect to connect with Mama Moo, which is contemporary, musical and a little bit bonkers!,” Vyas said.

The production also reflects the changing face of New Zealand, according to the Prayas team.

“What immediately attracted the Prayas core team to Mama Moo was how it reflected the current NZ demographic. Multicultural and vibrant,” Vyas

More than two decades of South Asian theatre

Prayas Theatre has been part of Auckland's South Asian theatre landscape for more than two decades, producing ensemble-driven and community-focused work aimed at bridging cultures and bringing new voices to the stage.

Its previous productions include A Fine Balance, Love N Stuff, Dhaba on Devon Avenue, Dara and First World Problems.

The theatre company was also presented with the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award for its contribution to promoting and preserving Indian arts and culture in New Zealand.

The award was presented in July 2026 at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Awards, organised by The Indian Weekender.

Mama Moo runs at TAPAC from September 21 to 26.

To book tickets for Mama Moo, click here.