Random Musical | Monkey Baa Theatre

If you are looking for a day out with some culture and fun, Monkey Baa Theatre is a great family venue for such an event. Situated directly opposite the children’s playground in the Darling Quarter Precinct, Monkey Baa Theatre is currently presenting Random Musical by Cre8tion till 16th July. 

The musical commences with each child writing down a random word on a card, and from these cards their random words lead the actors in taking the audience members on a clever and completely random musical adventure. Conjuring up spontaneous characters based on the audience’s random words, these talented actors completely improve the whole story with creative song, clever dialogue and costume, creating a storyline that is unlimitedly imaginative.

The kids loved the audience participation and surprises of the unexpected twists and turns of the story. Their involvement in the musical created a connection to the story that kept them entertained and creatively involved until the end. When asked who was their favourite character my son replied the pianist. He was amazed of how the pianist cleverly kept up with the actors sudden change in storylines and pace with the changes in his music.

Random Musical was lots of fun and I felt it was a great intro to improv acting and live theatre for young children. You won’t know what story you will get, but it will be definitely totally original with lots of silliness, fun and laughs.

By Virginia and Barkley

Random Musical
12^th – 16^th July 2016
Monkey Baa Theatre
Darling Quarter Precinct

Friday Finds

+ Best Sunday evening in Sydney for over 12's (and it's free too)
+  Got space lovers at home? The Final Frontier in Melbourne might be right up their alley
+ HIPPO! HIPPO!
+ It's an old one but we still love it
+ Kidlolly - Where have you gone?
+ Travelling with kids with Zig Zag - Would be great to see a Sydney version
+ Catch Mustang in the cinemas with your teens
+ On our list for August

HIPPO! HIPPO!

HIPPO! HIPPO!, a new kids’ musical based on the best-selling book There’s a Hippopotamus on the Roof Eating Cake, is coming to Glen Street Theatre next month and have a  family pass valued at $75 to giveaway. The pass is valid for 2 adults and 3 children and is for the 1pm performance on Thursday July 14.

For your chance email info@artsrocket.org tell us your families favourite cake and why before July 4th (please also include a contact number). ENTRIES CLOSED

HIPPO! HIPPO!

Based on the books by Hazel Edwards & Illustrated by Deborah Niland

Adaptation and Directed by: Garry Ginivan

Original Score and Musical Direction: Mark Jones

Cast Includes: Rosie Byth, Kaisha Durban, Eamonn George and Dean Schulz

SEASON DETAILS

Venue: Glen Street Theatre, corner Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose

Performance Dates: 14-16 July 2016

Performance Times: Thu & Fri 10.30am and 1pm. Sat 10am and 12pm.

Running Time:50 mins (no interval)

Ticket Prices: $21 each or $75 for a family pass of five. Transaction charges may apply.

Patrons’ Advice: Ideal for 1 – 7 year olds.

Bookings:  www.glenstreet.com.au or 9975 1455

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.

Interview with Finnegan Kruckenmeyer

After going along to Escape from Peligro Island  last month within the Kids at the House program my kids huddled together over the dinner table to come up with some questions  to ask playwright Finnegan Kruckenmeyer  .....

Are you writing a new kid’s play now? Can you give us clues on what it is about?

Hi Arts Rocketers – thanks for coming to the show and for sending me these questions. To answer number one, I am indeed writing three shows for kids at the moment:

‘Shadow Dreams’ is about two kids who wake one morning to find they’ve accidentally swapped dreams. ‘The Boy at the Edge of Everything’ is about one boy on Earth, and another out in Space who head for each other’s houses, and on the way go Universe-adventuring. And ‘Zachary Briddling Who Was Awfully Middling’ is about a wonderful grump who hates how normal he is. So he goes off adventuring, to lands filled with ogres and hairy things and flying things, places where he’ll be the strangest thing ever.

Then I’m also writing some plays for teenagers, and some more for adults – my head is feeling very full!

Where do you get your ideas for your plays from?

I think that my brain (just like anyone else’s) is full of hundreds and hundreds of ideas, and that if I sit long enough at a computer, eventually one shows up. It’s like how you draw a picture maybe – you start with a blank piece of paper, but you always end up with something unexpected. Writing’s a bit the same.

When you were a kid, did you want to be a writer? When did you start writing?

Yes – it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. And that’s partly because I’ve always enjoyed reading as well. Words are probably my second favourite thing (behind a few humans who I love very much) – and the way that you can play with them, and create worlds with them, and inspire laughter with them, and make people cry with them, is a very real magic which I am still trying to understand.

Favourite play when you were a kid? And your favourite play you have written?

My favourite play when I was nine was ‘The Postman’ by Theatre Velo. A man has to deliver the mail, but instead he rips open all the parcels… and whole worlds come out! I’m not sure if it’s only my favourite play as a kid, or my favourite play still to this day.

My favourite play of mine is always the one that I’m inventing at the moment, because even more than seeing a play performed, I love writing it. So Dream-sharing, Universe-adventuring and Zachary-Briddling-ing are my favourite things right now.

Are you scared of getting a bad haircut?

It’s a horror that I’ve experienced so many times, I don’t even really mind it anymore! Although nowadays my hairdresser is Renee, and she does a really good job. 

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In August, my eldest son and I will be heading along to see Finnegan's play Man Covets Bird.

Image from Man Covets Bird - Slingsby Theatre Company

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

• La la Land colouring books featuring Australian and International artists
• Sign up camera loving  kids to the Art House Co-op Series 
• Sydney Opera House goes  Lego  
• Film festivals in Sydney with great family films - check out French Film Festival, Young at Heart and the Silent Film Festival
• Pop up Paper Zoo at Tinkerlab

Stage Fright! | New Theatre

Credit: Photograph (c) Bob Seary

Great school holiday entertainment can be hard to come by but you will not go wrong with Stage Fright! playing at the New Theatre.  Stage Fright! was written by Richard Tulloch (The Book of Everything) almost 20 years ago based on the stories of Paul Jennings  (Round the Twist, Unreal!, Unbelievable!) and still stands the test of time.

Tulloch pulls together a selection of Jennings quirky tales  with an amusing story involving three school children trapped in a 'haunted' house.  The cast successfully take on multiple roles to bring the  stories of Jennings alive including Skeleton on the dunny, Lucky Lips and The Copy.

Stage Fright! isn't scary but will have the whole family (adults included) laughing out loud.  For me, the  afternoon brought back memories of going to the theatre when I was a child.  My kids and I enjoyed this show and we highly recommend it.

Extras

• Before each matinee kids get the opportunity to discover the world of behind the scenes, with a pre - show backstage tour and 'meet-and-greet' with the cast
• The performance runs for  app 2 hours with interval
• If your child is inspired to get on the stage, the New Theatre are running acting workshops over the holidays for kids aged 7 - 11 years

Bookings and more info

Runs until the 28th Jan 2012 at New Theatre, Newtown

Suitable for 7 - 13 years

Tickets $18 each or family of four $60

The List Operators - Kids do Compooters | Sydney Festival 2012

The List Operators - Kids do Compooters is exactly what school holiday entertainment should be all about - silly, disgusting, hilarious and plenty of poo jokes to keep the whole family happy.    My two youngest children (10 and 8) and I did not stop laughing throughout the opening performance of this fantastic show within the Sydney Festival family program.

The List Operators take on Cyberspace and everything floating within it   featuring  plenty of audience  participation to keep the pace going. The game of Pong has never been more exciting.  Matt Kelly and Richard Higgins are masters at captivating a whole audience,  both kids and adults.

Kids do Compooters is so much fun and once word spreads expect it to be difficult to get hold of a ticket.

MORE INFO

All tickets $18.00

Suitable for age group 5+ 

Seymour Centre
Dates
Jan 10 - 13  at 10.00am
Jan 11 - Jan 13  at 12.30pm
Bookings and more info

Riverside - Parramatta
Dates
Jan 17, 19-21 at 10am
Jan 19-21 at 12.30pm
Bookings and more info

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.

2 Dimensional Life of Her - Review - Sydney Festival 2011

2 Dimensional Life of Her is a multi-dimensional real-time artwork, incorporating drawing, animation, projections, puppetry and performance from Brisbane based artist/performer Fleur Elise Noble.

This is an intriguing performance piece that breaks the boundaries of storytelling and immerses the audience into Fleur's world as she attempts to control her imaginary world from taking over and causing havoc.

My children (12, 9 and 7) were all captivated as drawings come to life from the paper filled room. My youngest son looked over to me during the show and whispered, "How does she do it?" As we were walking out his eyes were sweeping across the set trying to discover the secrets behind the production of 2 Dimensional Life of Her.

I have a feeling this performance experience will stay with my children (and me!) for a long time.

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9 - 13 January

4pm, 5pm, and 6pm

Performance runs just under an hour (40mins - perfect timing if you have younger children)

Downstairs Theatre - Seymour Centre

Adults:$30 Child:$15

http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/2-Dimensional-Life-of-Her/

More info: http://www.insitearts.com.au/current-projects/2-dimensional-life-of-her/

Charlie and Lola are in town

Charlie and Lola's  Best Bestest play ever opened today at the Sydney Opera House. Most families are familiar with the wonderful BBC series and books of brother and sister and their imaginative world. This charming  production by Watershed Productions brings the siblings to life with a magical mix of puppets, live action and music.

The performance which lasts just under an hour consists of  three stories within Charlie and Lola's world. Laughter filled the audience  with mostly under 5's, some even shouted out to Charlie and Lola on stage as they would to a friend.

This magical production is a must see over the school holidays!

Performance Details:
Venue: Playhouse
Dates From 17 Dec 2010 until 30 Jan 2011
Duration: 55 minutes
Bookings: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/kath_charlie_and_lola.aspx

For more  information on:
Charlie and Lola visit: http://www.charlieandlola.com/
Watershed Theatre visit http://www.watershedtheatre.com/

Snow on Mars - Sydney Festival 2011

Our whole family loved The Book of Everything at the Belvior on earlier in the year.  So we are very excited to see that Richard Tulloch and Kim Carpenter have teamed up again for the production of Snow on Mars. The production will incorporate aerial, actors, music, song and digital animation.

12-year-old Waylon (physical performer, Rick Everett) wants to be the first man on Mars.

From a country caravan park, he writes letters to his hero, Andy Thomas. It seems impossible that Waylon could ever become an astronaut. His Dad (Elliott Weston) and Nan (Deborah Kennedy) move around so often that he is falling behind in his schoolwork.

Waylon getting into NASA is as unlikely as finding snow on Mars.

With the help of his Nan and local girl Gabi (Danielle Jackson), Waylon throws himself into the challenge, entering a project about the difficulties of landing the first man on Mars.

They discover that, although dreams may not necessarily come true, there is much joy and excitement to be had in reaching for them.

Writer: RICHARD TULLOCH. Concept & Design: KIM CARPENTER. Director: GALE EDWARDS. Composer: PETER KENNARD. Choreographer: ROWAN MARCHINGO. Lighting: TRUDY DALGLEISH. Digital Artists: MICHELLE FRENCH & BETSY BAKER. Advising Astronaut: ANDY THOMAS. Cast: ELLIOTT WESTON, DEBORAH KENNEDY, DANIELLE JACKSON, RICK EVERETT, DEAN CROSS.

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More details:

January 7 to 16

 York Theatre, Seymour Centre.

 Suits ages 6-106 Adult $36, Child $24 Family $23 x 4 = $92.

Bookings: Sydney Festival 1300 688 812. Seymour Centre 02 9351 7940 Ticketmaster 1300 723 038 http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au

The Gruffalo is back | NSW + VIC

My son and I  celebrated the Gruffalos 10th Birthday last year at the Seymour and he is returning over the  School Holidays for a repeat performance. This show is great fun for kids over 3 and their families and worth catching over the holidays.


2009 Arts Rocket Review: http://artsrocket.blogspot.com/2009/05/gruffalo-nsw-act.html



SEYMOUR CENTRE
Venue: Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Season: 28 June - 10 July
Performance times: Tuesday - Friday 10am & 12 noon, Saturday 10am, 12 noon, &; 3pm
Extra shows Monday 28th 1.30pm and Wednesday 7th 3pm
Bookings: 9351 7940 or seymourcentre.com.au or ticketmaster.com.au


PARRAMATTA
Venue: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Season: 30-31 August
Performance times: Monday 12 noon & 1.30pm; Tuesday 10am, 12 noon & 1.30pm
Bookings: 8839 3399 or riversideparramatta.com.au


MELBOURNE

Venue:   National Theatre, 20 Carlisle St (cnr Barkly St), St Kilda 

Season:  20 - 30 July 2010 

Performance times:  Monday – Saturday 10am & 12 noon, plus 1.30pm Tues 20, Wed 21, 

Mon 26 and Wed 28, and 3pm Sat 24 July 

Bookings:   136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au  

SPECIAL OFFER - FOX- PREVIEW APRIL 9th, 6.30pm

PREVIEW TICKETS - APRIL 9th, 6.30pm | $10 TICKETS QUOTE "magpie" WHEN BOOKING

Children can come to this performance FREE! | Bookings: Seymour Centre 93517940

FOX is an internationally acclaimed book for young readers written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Ron Brooks. In 2010 the Monkey Baa team will present an outstanding adaptation which opens at the Seymour Centre in April 2010 before a 30 week national tour.

The haunting text is set to music by Daryl Wallis and the action of the story is presented through a series of poetic visual and striking physical images. Beautifully designed and imaginatively conceived this is a story of friendship and courage.

Suitable for ages 8 - 108!

Visit http://www.sirentheatreco.com/fox/ for more information | Season http://monkeybaa.com.au/fox.html

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Kids' APT Summer Spectacular | QLD

Free artist workshops, performances and tours for kids will bring the world of contemporary art to life when the Kids’ APT Summer Spectacular takes over the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery from January 16 to 26, 2010.

For more information visit http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/apt6/kids_apt

The Book of Everything - Review

My son (aged 11) announced to me on Sunday that "The Book of Everything" was the best play he has ever seen. There are so many elements in this production that will win many hearts during the season at the Belvoir.

Adapted from the novel by Dutch author Guus Kuijer, The Book of Everything tells the story of Thomas, an imaginative, curious and sometimes scared nine year old boy. Thomas documents his life and how he sees the world through his eyes in his Book of Everything.

To escape the oppression himself and his family endure from his over pious and abusive father, Thomas finds comfort that comes in the form of chatting with Jesus, falling in love with the girl with the leather leg, learning about the beauty of books, overcoming fear from his new friends and writing in his Book of Everything.

References to Emil and the Detectives will delight readers of the novel by German author Erich Kaestner.

Kim Carpenter's set design is an absolute knock out and fills the stage with wonder. The interaction between the cast and the audience is fun and lures you right into Thomas's world. We fell in love with Julie Forsyth as Mrs Van Amersfoort, Matthew Whittet as Thomas and John Leary is hilarious as Jesus. The whole cast were all wonderful.

Suitable for adults and children> The Belvoir recommends audiences aged 8 and over - If you have younger children the domestic abuse scenes and themes may be too confronting.

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Season | 27 Dec 09 - 31 Jan 10

Belvoir Theatre, Surry Hills | Bookings or 9699 3444

Special children tickets prices and family packages available

Directed by Neil Armfield | Adapted by Richard Tulloch

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Page to Stage Workshop | Theatre of Image | 15 + 16 July

Conducted by Richard Tulloch and Kim Carpenter

Sydney Festival 2010

Image by John McDermott

Sydney Festival 2010 tickets go on Sale Monday 9th Nov....The family strand of the festival seems to getting better every year. I also discovered some other performances within the program that are also family friendly.

One of the highlights of the festival is The Arrival based on the illustrated book by Shaun Tan, a universal migrant tale set in a fantastical time and place presented by The Red Leap Theatre, New Zealand.

"The Arrival has no actual dialogue and combines a highly physical cast with music, movement, puppetry and shadow play."

Where: CarriageWorks | Jan 10 at 5pm, Jan 11, 14, 16 at 7pm; Jan 13, 15 at 11am and 3pm; Jan 17 at 3pm

For booking details visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/artist/1380238?brand=sydneyfestival2010

Other family performances include:

Barely Contained at Darling Harbour | Circus Oz

Music Alive Zeeko |Latest ensemble from Musica Viva

One Small Step | Oxford Playhouse

I will also be taking the whole family to see The Manganiyar Seduction.

For a full list of family performances at the Sydney Festival 2010 visit www.sydneyfestival.org.au

Wizard of Oz - STC - Review

Alirio Zavarce, Ezra Juanta & Patrick Graham

Photo by Tony Lewis

My daughter (aged 8) and I went along to Windmill’s production of THE WIZARD OF OZ By L. Frank Baum presented by the Sydney Theatre Company on Friday evening.

Windmill have mastered children's theatre and there are no expectations with the Wizard of Oz. The performance captivates not just the children in the audience but also the adults. I was laughing throughout most of the show. The set was clever- lots of colour, media installations and enough variety to make you feel you where moving to a different destination. The cast were all wonderful and Ursula Yovich shone as Dorothy and the wicked Witch played brilliantly by Geoff Revell was also our favourite.

If you have younger or restless children, I would recommend the 10.30am, 1.00pm or 5.00pm sessions as the 7pm could be a little late in the evening as the performance spans just over 2 hours.

View trailer

Details: Venue: Sydney Theatre

Season:
Tuesday 27 October 10.30am
Wednesday 28 October 10.30am
Thursday 29 October 10.30am
Friday 30 October 7pm
Saturday 31 October 1pm & 5pm
Sunday 1 November 1pm
Adults: $35Child: $30*Concession: $30*Under 30: $30* Family $110 (for 2 Adults, 2 Children OR 1 Adult, 3 Children) * Additional Child (to Family ticket): $20

For children 8 years and older and their families
Bookings

Sydney Children's Festival

Kick your heels up at the Sydney Children’s Festival Opening Party on Saturday 3 October. The celebration will be led by Georgie Parker and the Sydney Children’s Festival Choir, who will have every foot in the house tapping. The celebration will continue with a huge dance party where kids can go wild and parents can enjoy a flashback to their partying days. Plus, there’ll be a sneak preview of Erth’s Amazing Room for curious kids.

There are oodles of fantastic workshops, performances and activities to get involved in throughout the festival. See the amazing Circa perform 46 Acts in 45 Minutes, warm up your vocal chords in free morning singing workshops, or kick start your acrobatic career in a week of workshops with Legs On The Wall!
 
Visit www.sydneychildrensfestival.com  to find out more.