Bluey makes the leap from screen to stage with Bluey’s Big Play

After finding an audience of millions on TV, the looming stage debut of the ABC’s hit cartoon has drawn similar interest.

The hit ABC show Bluey is heading to the stage.

After finding an audience of millions on Australian television screens, the hit cartoon Bluey will make the leap to the stage in May, when Bluey’s Big Play premieres in Brisbane as part of the Out of the Box festival at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

Following a week-long run in Brisbane — where the animated series is produced by Ludo Studio — Bluey’s Big Play will begin an extensive national tour through to January 2021, where it will visit 50 towns and cities in every state and territory.

Developed by Windmill Theatre Company, the stage show will feature an original story written by series creator Joe Brumm, new music by composer Joff Bush and extensive puppetry including child-sized puppets for sisters Bluey and Bingo, and adult-sized puppets for parents Bandit and Chilli.

“It’s a 45-minute story, which is quite different to the normal seven-minute story [on TV],” said director Rose Myers. “That’s the first challenge: we’ve got to create a story with a bigger dramatic arc.”

“And the audience is coming to be in the room with Bluey, and I think that’s going to be quite overwhelming, I think, for a lot of children who really love the character,” said Myers. “I know the way that children receive a live performance, and they will be in the room with Bluey for 45 minutes, which is going to be amazing.”

Rosemary Myers, artistic director at Windmill Theatre Company, and director of Bluey's Big Play.

Based in Adelaide, Windmill Theatre Company has a strong record for delivering quality theatre for children. Its award-winning stage shows include Grug, based on the picture book character created by Ted Prior, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary and has performed to more than 50,000 people worldwide.

With Bluey’s Big Play, however, Windmill is in charge of adapting one of the hottest properties in Australian culture. Since it debuted on ABC Kids in October 2018, Bluey’s first season has amassed more than 200 million plays on ABC iview.

Last year, it was Australia’s most popular time-shifted program last year, ahead of the likes of Lego Masters, Utopia and The Handmaid’s Tale, according to data supplied by OzTAM.

According to Myers, about 60,000 people have pre-registered their interest to be notified when tickets to the stage show are on sale.

“We’ve got a cracker cast that’s well-balanced between some fantastic actors and some of Australia’s best puppeteers coming together,” said Myers. “The mood in the room is always very upbeat and fun. We start rehearsal proper in three weeks’ time.”

As for when tickets are on sale? 10am Friday. Parents, prepare yourselves.