Erth | Prehistoric school holiday action

This September school holidays, the Seymour Centre will presenting the roar-inspiring Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo from 27^th September – 1^st October.

For children aged 5+ the show features prehistoric creatures ranging from cute baby dinos to some of the largest carnivores and herbivores that ever walked the planet! In this fun and educational show, children will learn how to feed and interact with Erth’s amazing array of unmistakably ‘alive’ creatures.

We have three double passes to attend the performance on Wednesday 28th September at 12.30.
Let us know what you child's favourite dinosaur is for your chance by Sunday 26th Sept - email info@artsrocket.org (conditions). The winner will be notified via email.

For more info visit: http://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/erth-dinosaur-zoo/

Friday Finds

+ Spot on Festival from the 27 Sept - 2 Oct at Riverside Theatres. So much quality stuff on for over the festival. We are looking forward to Slingsby Theatre Company's Oscar Wilde's  The Young Kimg and $10 movie tickets.
+ Lights and  Lanterns / Dandenong Festival of Lights 26 August - 9 October
+ Film in Revolt / A platform for teens who are intersted in film

The Secret Life of Suitcases | Monkey Baa Theatre

My children are no longer little (17, 14 and 12). When they were younger we went to see a LOT of children's theatre. We still do but they also see a lot of adult theatre with me.  I  now keep my eye out for children's productions that I feel will carry across all ages. When my eldest son (17) was in the foyer of Griffin recently for The Witches he was not impressed to be surrounded by children running under his feet.  But after he saw Guy Edmonds on stage he quickly changed his tune. He loved it.

We were invited to the production of The Secret Life of Suitcases and I took along my youngest son(12) and his best friend. I was concerned they may be too old, but I was wrong.  The Secret Life of Suitcases had everyone in the audience drawn in from the beginning.   It was wonderful to sit in the audience to hear parents and children (of all ages) laugh, gasp and 'get' what was going on -  every element of the production worked.

The story follows Larry (in an almost George Orwell 1984 setting) - Larry is busy working, VERY busy. He has no time for anything outside work.  One day out of the blue a suitcase arrives that changes the course of his life. That is all I will reveal in this adventure as you will need to experience it for yourself.

Created by Lewis Hetherington and puppeteer Ailie Cohen (with a collaboration with Unicorn Theatre) The Secret Life of Suitcases is delightful  - please go see it with your kids - young or old.

The Secret Life of Suitcases
28 Sept - 2 October 2015
Monkey Baa
Darling Harbour Lend Lease Theatre
Sydney

suitable for  4 years of age (and older!).


Learn more about this production here.
There's an app you can interact with after the performance!

Art Month Sydney | Youth and Families

Last night we attended the opening evening of Art Month Sydney 2015 at the National Art School. The family program is full of architecture, photography and art experiences for your young ones. It is also wonderful to branch out the family program for older children.

Art Month Sydney - March 2015
various venues

Sydney Festival 2014 | Family

image: Joshua Morris

Ok - we have been busy so this is my first chance to go through the Sydney Festival 2014 program in detail.  The festival starts this week and is a great way to fill in the last few weeks of the school holidays.

There is a lot to choose from this year -  a wonderful selection of performances and activities for families - and if you still want more, it is also fun to beyond the family strand (especially if you have older children) to discover some interesting finds.

If you are a family of four - the festival also has family packages for some performances. For families on a budget these holidays but still want their children to be involved in the festival -  check out the free performances and activities on offer.

We love everything in the program but we are looking into these performances:

Othello - The remix: My eldest son (15) would love it if this is how Shakespeare is taught in school.
Band of Magicians: Magic is extremely popular in our house at the moment with my youngest son (9) and this performance is number one on his list!
Ockham's Razor: Looks absolutely amazing - Circus meets storytelling.
The Piper: Limited tickets to be involved and on stage of this intriguing retelling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin.  The Piper incorporates multimedia, puppetry and stagecraft.
Tom Thum: Beating the Habit: I caught Tom at Tedx Sydney in 2013. Kids of all ages will love Tom Thum.
Jazzamatazz!: Cabaret singer Ali McGregor does jazzy beats for kids.
Lao Qiang: Expand the music your children are listening to with ancient Rock'n'Roll from the East.

To  browse the full family program visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2014/Family/

The Cat in the Hat - Sydney Opera House

image: Leigh Russell

Today we headed to the Sydney Opera House to celebrate Summer with Dr Seuss's The Cat in the Hat  and experience the family friendly precinct along the Broadwalk. As we headed towards the Opera House we could feel the vibe before we even walked into the special Summer at the House area.

Before or after the performance families can hang outside in the sunshine  along the western broadwalk and grab a drink, Mexican from El Loco (with kid size tacos) or delicious healthy ice blocks. We loved this area and there is enough space to wander around and take in the amazing view. There are shaded table areas but make sure you take hats for kids if you miss out and have to take a table in the sun.

The Creative Play areas is a successful concept used to keep young children occupied before they head into the theatre.  Within the foyers kids have a choice of story telling, puppet making and the very popular Seussophone to keep them busy. 

The Cat in the Hat performance (with an all Australian cast) is wonderful for families with young children (3 - 6 years) who love the book and want to see the characters brought to  life. If you have children who are hesitant in learning how to read this is a great opportunity to see a performance that can lead to picking up the book to start their reading adventure.    Cat in the Hat  kept  the young audience members transfixed utilising sound effects, puppetry, vibrant props and kids imagination   to capture the chaos and charm  bringing this classic story from page to stage.

Our tip: Make sure you give yourself time before and after the show to experience everything on offer!

The Cat in the Hat  until 27th Jan 2013
Sydney Opera House
running time 40 minutes
Ages 3 - 6 years
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Sydney Festival 2013 with kids

Sydney Festival program time again.... I already have my tickets for David Byrne and St Vincent (I will be taking my teen son with me!).
This is what we are also looking forward to:

The Listies  | Earworms   The List Operators performance at the 2012 Sydney Festival was one of the hottest tickets for families.  Another  must see show for 2013. Jan 15th - Jan 19th 2013

School Dance This looks great! Teen awkwardness at a school disco, a new work by Windmill Theatre. Jan 10th - Feb 3rd 2013

It's Dark Outside   From the creators of  the beautiful The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer  (Sydney Festival 2011) this performance tells the story of an old man venturing out into the wild. Jan 11th - 15th 2013

We got to see a few Francis Bacon pieces in Italy so I am excited that the Art Gallery of NSW  will be exhibiting him as part of the festival (recommended for older children).

This is only the tip of the iceberg on what will be presented over the festival: Visit http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2013/ to see the full program. If you have older children don't be afraid to explore outside of the family program - there are some gems to be found.

My night at the Opera | The Magic Flute

Photo by: Branco Gaica

On Tuesday my Mum and I had an evening out together at the Opera. We went to the Sydney Opera House for a performance of  Mozart's "The Magic Flute."  I have been to the Opera House for kids shows before but this was much more special.

I like to listen to Opera on the radio in the evenings before I go to sleep and the last few weeks I have been listening to the CD of The Magic Flute.

We arrived at the Opera House early so we could get a drink in the foyer and I also had some chocolate. There were a lot of other families there as well.  When we went  into the  concert hall it was completely full and our seats had a great view of the stage and we could see everything that was going on.

I thought the singing was inspiring and the costumes were so divine. The puppets were oversized, colourful, fascinating and everyone seated near me  enjoyed them.  The set was huge and it  moved around for the performers and to show different scenes.   Sometimes it was difficult to understand what was being sung (even in English) but luckily you can read the surtitles (the words appear on a small screen above the stage) but I found it more enjoyable just to listen and take it all in.

The story is about Prince Tamino who is saved from a serpent by three of the Queens helpers.  When they go off to tell the Queen a bird catcher called  Papageno bumps into the Prince and takes the credit for saving him from the snake and they become friends. When the three ladies come back they put a muzzle on him so he can not talk as punishment for lying.

The Queen sends them both off on adventure  to save her daughter Pamina from  the cruel Sarastro.  Tamino is given a magic flute and Papageno silver bells for a safe  journey. There are also three spirits that guide them. But there are some twists and  Prince Tamino and Papageno  face many dangers but find their way to a happy ending.

The Opera runs for two hours but you get to have a break half way and can go outside, enjoy the view and have a chat.

After the performance even though it was way past my bed time  we had a drink and some dessert at the Opera bar outside and listened to the jazz band playing and talked about our night at the Opera.

I think  The Magic Flute would be  great for kids who are  five and older and families who want to have a special night out with their kids.
by Mischa age 10

MORE INFO
Sydney until 23rd March 2012
Melbourne 21st April until 12th May 2012
Bookings and more information visit http://www.opera-australia.org.au/

Kids at the House 2012 - Our picks

Escape from Peligro Island

The Kids at the House 2012 program has been announced.  We have seen some real gems over the last years of the program that caters for families young and old and the 2012 program does not disappoint.

These are our picks for the year:
White (22 - 26th Feb)
A production suited for younger audiences introduction to theatre (2 - 4 years) from Scotland's Catherine Wheels Theatre Company.

Escape from Peligro Island (19-28th April)
My kids have always loved the "Choose your Adventure" books. This takes the same concept and lets the audience choose the narrative of the play voting with their own remote controller.    *No two shows will be alike!
This exciting production was written by Finegan Kruckemeyer. Many families may have seen his beautiful piece "Boats" at the Darlinghurst in 2011.
Suitable for ages 7+
Prepare for this show to sell out!

Boxy George (3 - 13th Oct)
An intimate puppetry experience by Danish theatre Company Teater Refleksion.
George is alone
It is nice to be alone
Everything is nice and tidy
Perfect.
But...one day a box shows up.
And George is not alone anymore
Suitable for ages 5-10 years

Man Coverts Birds (18th Aug)
Another  Finegan Kruckemeyer piece!   Slingsby bring us a  coming of age journey  about flying from nests, birdsong  and the nature of man and wild things.
Suitable for ages 10+

Of course, there are many more performances to explore within the program.  I would advise booking ahead on any shows that catch you eye.
For full program and bookings visit: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/program_Kids_at_the_House.aspx

Sydney Festival 2012 with kids

The 2012 Sydney Festival ticket sales have gone into full swing. Have you got your tickets? Lots of fun  stuff for kids and families to get involved!

The List Operators for Kids do Compooters
My youngest son (7 years) would love this show. Slapstick mixed with the virtual world!

Holly Throsby presents See!
This looks wonderful for younger children. Holly brings her album See! to life.

Animagica looks like a beautiful piece that incorporates shadow theatre films by Lotte Reiniger with music from Icelandic instrumental group Amiina.

I always like to explore outside the family program for some gems that are suitable for older kids.

L'Effet de Serge

Meet Serge. Every Sunday he entertains his friends with a parade of homespun spectacles, animating everything around his basement and putting some magic back into their lives.

I am Eora

I Am Eora (I am of this place) breaks new ground in contemporary Indigenous performance, telling the stories of Sydney's Aboriginal continuity in a celebration of its heroes. With a cast of performers ranging from the emerging to the iconic, the project aspires to create a legacy for Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.

Assembly

Integrating dance with theatrical and operatic performance, this grand piece involves more than 60 performers on stage, combining the force and agility of eight of Chunky Move's most exceptional dancers with waves of medieval and contemporary choral music from six principal singers and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.


The festival runs from Jan 7th until Jan 29th.
Festival First Night is free and all ages friendly on the Jan 7th
For more details and bookings visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2012/

Shadow Theatre

If you like to celebrate Halloween or not... This great idea for shadow play from Kate at Mini Eco is a wonderful and scary way to have fun this month.

We were lucky to catch Me and My shadow earlier this year at the Opera House which explored the delights of shadow play as a child.

We will making Shadow Box Theatre in the next week...will post our efforts up soon!

Instructions how to make your own:

http://www.minieco.co.uk/cereal-box-shadow-theater/

More inspiration:

Owly Shadow Puppets

Dexter and the Dragon

Little Fable Shadow Theatre

Unfortunately, I have been unable to fit this years Sydney Children's Festival into our schedule this year. But from what I have been reading plenty of other families have.

Richard Tulloch ventured their with his Grandson http://bit.ly/ppXtVr

Bill Blake (aged 6) and Violet Rickards (aged 7 )reviews I, Bunyip for Time Out Sydney

Have you been? What was your experience like at the festival? If you blogged about it let me know.

Wolf - 30 July- Kids in the House

I wish I was going to be in Sydney to take my children to the performance of Wolf within the Kids at the House program from Slingsby Theatre Company. One of the members of the creative team for Wolf is Finegan Kruckemyer who wrote "Boats" that we were lucky to catch at the Darlinghurst Theatre over the holidays. This production celebrates the power of fairy tales, storytelling and the role that fear plays in our lives.

"Some stories are told to scare us, some are told to make us brave"

Details

Sydney Opera House | 30 July 2011

Ages 10 and over

*Features eerie music and projections - so scare factor could be high for younger audiences.

Booking: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/kath_wolf.aspx?start=yes

Boats | Darlinghurst Theatre | Review

When my daughter (aged nine) and I walked away after the performance of Boats at Darlinghurst Theatre on Monday I wanted to walk back in and wrap my arms around it. Yes, we loved it.

Boats is a beautiful performance that shares the inner workings of storytelling for children and adults. The story follows the loveable Jof and Nic and their journey in life following the sea and love.

Written by Finegan Kruckemyer and directed by Frank Newman who both have a history of intelligent and creative theatre for families - Boats incorporates puppetry, music and physical performance.

Catch Boats before it sails out of Sydney!

Booking Details

1 - 16 July | Darlinghurst Theatre

Bookings: http://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/page/boats.html

Adventures of Alvin Sputnik Review - Sydney Festival 2011

It is really wonderful when a performance piece enthralls a young audience as well as an older one. Weeping Spoon Productions (Perth based) succeed with the beautiful tale, "The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik - Deep Sea Explorer" performed by the multi talented Tim Watts.

My youngest son (aged 7) and I fell in love with Alvin and his underwater journey to save the world (now a world covered in water with minimal land and survivors left) and reunite with the soul of his wife who has recently passed away.

Creator and performer, Tim Watts uses animation, projections, puppetry and singing to bring Alvin and his entrancing story alive.

This performance is one of my favourites from the Sydney Festival 2011 line up.

Downstairs Theatre Seymour Centre

Bookings and more information: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/The-Adventures-of-Alvin-Sputnik-Deep-Sea-Explorer/

NEW DATES ANNOUNCED AT DARLINGHURST THEATRE

30 MAY - 11 JUNE 2011

http://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/page/the_adventures_of_alvin_sputnik.html