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

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/

Aleksander and the Robot Maid

Throughout history, robots have come in all shapes and sizes and have been created to make our life easier and lazier. In the school holidays, older kids will be introduced to robots who are more than meets than eye and a young boy who wants to find out why.

Aleksander and the Robot Maid at the Seymour invites families to delve into the steam punk world of robots, friendships and mysteries.

When Aleksander journeys to the hallowed city of Robotika he is captivated by the technological marvels of the Steam Age. Lured by the promise of a life of leisure, the people have been liberated from work by the box-headed Industrials. But all is not as it seems.

We enjoyed the performance but my son (aged seven) dropped in and out with some parts not grabbing his attention but overall he gave the performance the thumbs up. I think my ten and thirteen year old may have taken more away from it. The highlight for my son was the large robot at the end.

+ After each performance kids can help create a giant robot, this is great fun and something the kids can also do when they get home with spare boxes

+ Wonderful characters and a sense of adventure as you enter the world of robots

- The performance is a little bit too long at 70 minutes for younger audience members, recommended age group is eight and over

Booking details

1- 9 July

Age group: 8 - 108

Seymour Centre

http://sydney.edu.au/seymour/boxoffice/program_alexander_robot_maid.shtml

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

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/

Snow on Mars - Review - Sydney Festival 2011

Richard Tulloch and Kim Carpenter (Theatre of Image) have teamed up again for the Sydney Festival for their wonderful production "Snow on Mars."

The story centres on 12 year old Waylon (physical performer, Rick Everett) who wants to be an astronaut but his father has other things on his mind. Waylon's mother has passed away and he travels from each caravan park to the next with his supportive Nana and country singing dad around Australia. The story explores family, following your dreams, friendship and the beauty of space.

I went to the performance with my son (aged 7) and his friend. The acrobatic and aerialelements and the creative use of the large screen were the highlights of the performance. One of the favourites for the boys was a spectacular scene when the Ghost Astronaut walked across the screen the stars exploded beneath his feet. Amongst the excitement of the multimedia and movement their attention span did waver during some parts of the story.

If your child has a love of space, astronauts and/or acrobats! they will enjoy Snow on Mars.

Go behind the scenes of Snow on Mars: http://blog.sydneyfestival.org.au/snow-on-mars-behind-the-scenes

More details:

January 7 to 16

York Theatre Seymour Centre

Bookings and more information http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/Snow-on-Mars/

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  

Bring it on - 2010

Toumani and Symmetric Orchestra (Youri Lenquette) Paris

Lots of exciting theatre, music, art and film for kids and their families in the New Year.

The Kids in the House program has another eclectic mix of Australian and International performances for all ages to enjoy...the usual baby proms, Little Big Shots and other highlights include Helena and the journey of the Hello...from Terrapin Puppet Theatre directed by the talented Frank Newman, Hansel and Gretel from Danish Theatre Company - Gruppe 38 (we caught their beautiful production of The Little Match Girl), Salt Bush ( A journey through Aboriginal Australia) and so much more...check out the program for full details.

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The Sydney Festival also has a great program in January...Music Alive: Zeeko, One Small Step by David Hastings, The Arrival inspired by Shaun Tans beautiful book and a big favourite amongst families... Circus Oz

Exhilarating performances within the festival include> Toumani Diabate , The Manganiyar Seduaction, Bale de Rue...

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Masterpieces from Paris Exhibition opens at the National Gallery of Australia and runs until April 2010.

Showcasing 112 Post Impressionist masterpieces from artists including Van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet, Cezanne, Seruat and more, all from the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

The gallery is also hosting a wide range of childrens activties to compliment the exhibition.

Check out the programs, see a few shows and enjoy what is going to be an exciting year.

Helena and the Journey of the Hello Highlights

The Gruffalo | May - June | NSW / ACT

The Everest Theatre in the Seymour Centre was jam packed full of kids and their parents eagerly awaiting  for the performance of The Gruffalo to commence.  

The musical production has been adapted from the well loved book by  Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.  The  story centres around a little mouse alone in the forest and the creature he invents to protect himself from the bigger animals who want to each him for lunch.

The hour performance sped by with catchy songs, witty dialogue and audience interaction.  The Gruffalo succeeds in keeping both young children and parents both entertained. 

THE GRUFFALO follows Mouse into the deep dark wood on a lunchtime hunt for hazelnuts. Armed with just a nut map and a very vivid imagination, Mouse runs into the smirking, wheeler-dealer Fox; an eccentric, retired Woodland Air Force General Owl; and the maraca-shaking, party animal Snake. Rather than becoming the main course of their next meal, Mouse kills their appetites with stories of an imaginary monster friend. 

Little does this clever critter know but Mouse will have to escape the jaws of this faux protector as well. In a production that has become the toast of London’s West End, Tall Stories vibrantly reinvents this delightful tale through its signature style of bold, multifaceted storytelling.

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SYDNEY 16-30 May   

Performance times: Sat 10am, 12noon & 3pm; Mon, Thurs & Fri 10am & 12 noon   

Venue: Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, Chippendale  

Bookings: 9351 7940 or www.seymourcentre.com.au 

 

WOLLONGONG 1-2 June   

Performance times: Mon 12noon & 1.30pm, Tues 10am, 12noon & 1.30pm 

Venue: IPAC Wollongong 

Bookings: 4226 3366 or www.merrigong.com.au 

 

PENRITH 4-5 June   

Performance times: 10am & 12noon 

Venue: Q Theatre, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith 

Bookings:  4723 7600 or www.jspac.com.au 

 

CANBERRA 10-13 June   

Performance times: Wed 1pm, Thurs & Fri 10am & 12noon, Sat 10am, 12noon & 3pm  

Venue: Street Theatre, Canberra 

Bookings:  62471223 or www.thestreet.org.au 

 

WAGGA WAGGA 6-17 June   

Performance times: Tues 12 noon, Wed 10am & 12noon 

Venue: Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga 

Bookings: 6926 9688 or www.civictheatre.com.au 

 

PARRAMATTA 19 June   

Performance times: 10am & 12noon 

Venue: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta 

Bookings: 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au 

 

Lah-Lah's Adventures

Proms for Little People

Definitely worth an outing with the under 7's. This show finishes on Saturday at the Seymour Centre, Sydney.

This was a fast moving production, very interactive, with dancing, hide and seek, a chance for audience participation. My daughter commented that not even the babies cried, which for those of you who regularly attend children's performances will know that is quite an achievement.

The show is about bedtime and sleep. The instruments come to life for a 4 year old girl. The musician's are top of the range and a big plus is that they can actually act and are part of the piece.

On until this Saturday, if you miss them this time around, keep your eye out for when they are next on. Its a great show for the kids.

Joanne Kee