What’s on for children’s theatre over the summer school holidays
A VISIT to the theatre has become as much a part of children’s summer holidays as Santa and sandcastles — and young audiences are enjoying a richer array of shows than ever. Here’s what’s on over the holiday season.
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A TREAT at the theatre has become as much a part of children’s summer holidays as Santa and sandcastles.
The rich array of shows available to young audiences continues to blossom each year, with the Christmas season being the biggest for children’s theatre.
Arts Centre Melbourne creative producer for families and young people Mary Harvey said there are 12 shows programmed in the first half of 2018 alone.
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While some of the shows are based on much love books such as Emily Brown and the Thing, Ms Harvey said young audiences are getting more adventurous.
This year a different type of comedy is coming to Melbourne with New Zealand’s La Vie Dans Une Marionette.
“What they have created is an incredible physical work of clowning and they explain what it feels like to be lonely,” she said.
“We made a deliberate choice for this show as something the whole family can enjoy.
“We’re seeing a lot of inter-generations in audiences which are not just grandparents and grandchildren but also aunts and nephews. It’s important that everyone who sees the show can engage. ”
SOME OF THE SEASON”S BEST
Emily Brown and the Thing
The story follows an irrepressible little girl called Emily (right) who finds a “Thing” crying outside her window.
January 3-14. Fairfax Studio. Recommended for age 3+
A SIMPLE SPACE
A Simple Space is circus stripped back to its essential elements. The world-class acrobats of Gravity & Other Myths invite you closer, to witness the teamwork it takes to pull off these hair-raising stunts.
January 3-14. Fairfax Studio. Recommended for age 8+
THE CHILDREN’S REPUBLIC
OF MELBOURNE
The children of Melbourne are joining together to make their own country. Participants help decide the laws of Melbourne’s first micro-state and design its national flag, constitution and coat of arms. On the last day, everyone is invited back to parade their flags and banners through Arts Centre Melbourne and present the constitution to the public.
January 9-13. State Theatre Rehearsal Room. Recommended for age 5+
LA VIE DANS UNE MARIONETTE (LIFE
IN A PUPPET)
A whimsical story of a pianist and his puppet, this production is packed full of hilarious moments and surprises, as the White Face Crew combines physical theatre, dance, and clowning.
January 16-20. Fairfax Studio. Recommended for age 8+
THE UNBELIEVABLES
Featuring the greatest acts from around the globe, this show features magic, circus and ballroom dancers all set
to music from a swing band.
January 3-13. Hamer Hall. Recommended for children age 8+
I SEE YOU LIKE THIS
I See you Like This turns the camera on parents allowing their child to view them as the subject through the lens of their own imagination. In this unique one-on-one experience with artist Jessica Wilson, children will become the art director of a creative portrait of their parent. Each unique portrait will be captured by a professional photographer to take home and share.
January 17-21. Hamer Hall, Bombini Buzz Mezzanine. Recommended for age 6+
PLAY ME I’M YOURS
Twenty beautifully decorated “street pianos” will pop up around Arts Centre Melbourne, the CBD and in suburbs across Melbourne for everyone to enjoy.
January 19-February 4
WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT
Join the show’s intrepid family of adventurers and their musical dog through the swishy swashy grass, the splashy river and the squelchy mud, in search of a bear.
Comedy Theatre. January
17-20. ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 111 011
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
A lively cast of actors and puppeteers bring twenty characters to life on stage in
a play that takes audiences down the rabbit hole with Alice.
Athenaeum Theatre.
January 10, 11am, 2pm and 7.30pm ticketek.com.au
or 9650 1500
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