The Australian Ballet | The Nutcracker

Last week my daughter (13) and I went along to our first ballet and we were delighted that is was a dress rehearsal for  The Australian Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. The dress rehearsal was a wonderful insight into the energy and commitment that it takes to pull off the perfection that flows on stage from opening night.

The Nutcracker is a beautiful Christmas story set on Christmas Eve where the audience joins Claire on her adventures in a world conjured up by the magician, Drosselmeyer.

The evening ended with French lemon and sugar crepes from the Sarazine food truck.

Perfect!

The Tiger Who Came to Tea | Sydney Opera House

The Tiger Who Came to Tea was my daughters favourite book growing up. We would read it over and over again - even though she is now 13 we have pulled her old copy out and it has been wonderful to revisit.

Sophie has an unexpected guest and tea-time mayhem ensues. The Tiger Who Came to Tea is based on Judith Kerr’s picture book and includes magic, sing-a-long songs. It is playing at the Sydney Opera House from December 10 to 28. On behalf of the Sydney Opera House, we have one family pass (2 adults, 2 children) to giveaway to the 10.30am performance on December 10. To enter, email info@artsrocket.org and let me know who you would like to invite to tea - the more imaginative the better! Competition closes Wed, December 3. Good Luck! CLOSED
(The winner will be notified by email)

LEO | Sydney Opera House

The stage consisted of a large screen and an empty room - the lights darkened causing tiny apprehensive whispers to circulate around the room. When the lights went up we are introduced to a man and his suitcase - how did he get there and most importantly - why was he there?

LEO is a beautiful performance incorporating physical theatre, video projection, dance, music and a piece of chalk. French acrobat William Bonnet glides around the room with his movements projected onto the big screen pulling us into alternate worlds. Bonnet's strength is spectacular but not surprising with his extensive background in aerial acrobatics.

The young audience were in fits of laughter as they jumped from screen to room in delight of this gravity defying adventure.  A small segment consisting of a repetitious dance routine may have little ones restless but will be enjoyable for older children and parents.

How does this lone man eventually leave the room?
Well......we will leave that up to you to find out.

Recommended for school holidays.

LEO 
until 13 July
Sydney Opera House
for ages 8 and over

Leo - Sydney Opera House

Dancing on the ceiling like Fred Astaire, scaling the walls like Spiderman and floating mid-air like an Indian guru – escape with Leo into an impossible world, where perception and imagination are turned inside out and upside down.
Through an ingenious combination of staging and video projection, Leo rockets you to a world where the laws of gravity are thrown out the window.


We have two family passes to give away (2 adults and 2 children) for the 28 June - 3pm performance of Leo. For your chance email info@artsrocket.org with your child's favourite dance scene from a movie.
Entries close Friday 13 June. ENTRIES CLOSED

LEO
28 June - 13 July 2014
Sydney Opera House
Ages 8 and over



Arts Rocket is not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner. Tickets are are not redeemable for cash. Full Terms and conditions

CLOSED Giveaway: The Incredible Book Eating Boy

I bought the book The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers for my children when they were younger - it turned into one of our favourites.  We eat books in our house! - we are all big readers.

It was wonderful to see that this book the celebrates the joy of reading has been transformed from page to stage. The kids love seeing their favourite books come alive on stage.

We have a family pass to give away to The Incredible Book Eating Boy for the 12 April. (2 adults, 2 children).

For your chance  to win tell me your child's favourite book to read at info@artsrocket.org
Entries close 9 April and the winner will be notified by email. CLOSED.

Congratulations to D Collings.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy 
Sydney Opera House
12 - 27 April

Kids at the House 2014 - Sydney Opera House

The Kids at the House have announced their 2014 program. I was delighted to see some old favourites and performances I have been waiting patiently to arrive in Australia. My kids are getting older now (15, 12 and 9) and we have outgrown the Babies Proms but the 2014 season looks after everyone.

These are our picks:

Illusionists 2.0 - My youngest son is obsessed with magic - as most nine year olds are. We have already secured our tickets for his upcoming birthday.

The Magic Flute - This kid friendly performance of The Magic Flute is a wonderful introduction to opera and worth saving up for. My daughter and I went to this in 2012 and we both loved it.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy  - Everyone in our house eats books and this is also a favourite book when the kids were younger.

Leo  - This looks like fun and physical theatre is wonderful for all ages.

The Girl Who Forgot to Sing Badly  -  Finnegan Kruckenmeyer  is one of our favourite playwrights - he knows kids theatre!  

Hans Christian, You Must Be an Angel - My eldest son and I have seen Gruppe 38's performance of Hansel and Gretel in 2010 and a reworking of Little Red Riding Hood - A Sonatina and The Little Match Girl in 2007. When I saw that their latest production was featuring  in the Dublin Theatre Festival - I urged our family in Dublin to go.  I am booking our tickets now!


Of course, there is more to explore - but I will leave that up to you.

Driving into Walls

This week my eldest son (15) and I went to Driving into Walls presented by Barking Gecko.  Based on 500 interviews with teens in Western Australia, Driving into Walls is a stark reminder on how tough it is being a teen.  The performance incorporated dance and multi media to tell the stories of todays youth.

(A little early) Arts Rocket Friday Finds

Posting our Friday Finds an evening earlier  to share some exciting events happening over the school holidays and beyond.

• 13 rooms - Kaldor Public Art Projects - Fantastic kids workshops over the school holidays all inspired by 13 rooms (curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Klaus Biesenbach).  Animation, sculpture and movement.
• The MCA have some fun drop in Contemporary Kids workshops - Cardboard City   and  Junior Art School. They also encourage families to come along to their annual Zine fair on the 26th May
• If you didn't catch Olafur Eliasson last time - make sure you don't miss him this time at the Sherman Gallery.  Especially if you have kids that love lego!
• This school holidays you can't go past seeing The List Operators 6D within the Kids at the House program.

Blaze - Sydney Opera House

image: Daniel Boud

Last night the kids and I went along to the Sydney Opera House for the performance of Blaze.  It was a beautiful evening so  we started  with a drink down at the Opera Bar before heading in.  At the Opera House lots of families mingled in the foyer before the start of the show.

Blaze consists of a dance crew of street and break dancers hailing from almost every corner of the world.  The show premiered in London and Sydney is one of the many stops in their international tour.

With our drinks and popcorn sorted, we walked into the Concert Hall to see  the  stage  was set with pairs of shoes spotlit waiting patiently for their owners. As the shoeless dancers appear the back curtain rises to reveal an amazing backdrop set made up  of drawers and cupboards (and a bathtub!)  piled up on top of each other...during the show some drawers opened to reveal and hide dancers, get climbed over and danced within and acts as a  screen for spectacular projected scenery without overshadowing the dancers.

The dancing blew us away, exciting and full of energy - and showcased how innovative street dance can be.  Everything worked in the performance, the dancers sharing their passion and the soundtrack keeping it together.  You can find out more about the dancers here: Blaze UK.

I was discussing recently with another Mum how I am finding it difficult to find performances that I can take all my children to - I have three children aged between 9 and 14.  Blaze kept every family member satisfied. We all loved it.

This isn't a show where all the action just happens on stage....it's an interaction with the audience. The crew encourage you to get your cameras out, to cheer along and if the mood strikes you -  to get up and dance.

By the end  everyone   in the audience was up dancing (there was a grandmother getting her dance moves on a few chairs over from us).  One lucky child got to go on stage and dance with the crew. After their last encore and  as the lights went up many audience members lingered a little bit longer in the hope the dancers would return on stage just one more time.

Extra: If you have kids that are into skateboarding - get them to bring their gear   to the  Blaze skate park  outside from 11am until 7pm. My eldest son is keen to go back to show off his skills.

Blaze runs until 20th Jan 2013 at Sydney Opera House.
All ages.

http://blaze.sydneyoperahouse.com/

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
----

Kids at the House 2013 - Sydney Opera House

I absolutely love it when a new season or program is announced for a theatre or festival.   Kids at the House 2013 season has just arrived for our selection pleasure.

What is on our list to see:
Horrible Histories - Awful Egyptians - Possibly one of the best TV shows out there for kids (and secretly for adults).  All my kids  are very excited about this performance.
When: 1st July - 14th July 2013 | Ages 6+

13 Storey Tree House - My youngest son is loving this new series by Andy Griffiths and fantastic to find out it will be looked after by Richard Tulloch (The book of Everything).
When: 21st Sept - 3rd Oct 2013 |

The Listies in 6D - The List Operators latest show about movies...these guys are amazing.
When: 16th - 28th April 2013 | Ages 5+

Miss Ophleia -  This performance looks intriguing..  and  based on the book Ophelia’s Shadow Theatre.
When:  27th - 28th July 2013 |

We are still looking through all the choices for 2013....for you to discover more on what is on offer visit: Kids at the House.

What is on your Kids at the House 2013 list to see?

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/

Happy New Year!

Bring on 2012!

What we will be  up to in January:

• Visiting the GOMA for the Matisse, Pip and Pop and Yayoi Kasama exhibition
• My daughter will have her first Opera experience with The Magic Flute
• Heading to shows at the Sydney Festival
• Flickerkids at Flickerfest
• Stage Fright! at New Theatre
• Circus Oz - Steampowered
• Interviewing Finegan Kruckemeyer

Happy New Year to all.

x

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

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

Me and my shadow | Review | Sydney Opera House

My kids have always loved playing with shadows at night on their bedroom walls, they love the ability to create fictional characters in their own world with a simple torch.

This school holidays at the Opera House, Me and my Shadow takes shadow play to the next level with the delightful story of a girl who through creative play befriends her shadow. The performance conceived by Patch Theatre explores this friendship by magically playing with various visual elements that kept the audience enthralled. The simple yet effective set allows the audience to focus on the magical delights.

The Creative Play area can also be explored before or after the performance in the foyer to enhance your families visit to the theatre.

Me and my shadow is ideal for 4- 8 year olds (although, I also had two 10 year olds with me who enjoyed it) and is at the Opera House this school holidays until the 17 April.

Venue: Sydney Opera House | Drama Theatre

Dates: 9th April until 17 April

Tickets: $27 Bookings

The season continues onto Melbourne at the Victorian Arts Centre | 17 May - 21 May 2011

Le Grand Cirque - Adrenaline

Last night my two youngest (9 and 7) with their Dad and Grandad went to the opening evening of the Le Grand Cirque - Adrenaline at the Opera House. They all have not stop raving about the show. From their awe of seeing a performance in the beautiful Concert Hall, the strength of the cast and the overall excitement of the whole show .

The show is an action packed evening featuring a cast over 40 of the most extreme athletes from around the world. Highlights include the Globe of Death motorbike act and the Wheel of Destiny.

This is a show not to be missed!

Grandads review

Man becomes Superman

The Grace and the beauty of the Bolshoi, the Gentle Charm of a clown that Chaplin himself would have envied, the delirium of three motorheads and astonishingly brave beauty, the infectious exuberance of a trampoline troupe....the fun was fantastic and endless.

--

Venue: Concert Hall - Sydney Opera House

From 6th Jan until 16 Jan 2011

Runs for 1 hour and 50 mins

Bookings and more information: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/priority/le_grand_cirque_2011.aspx

Mirazozo - Architects of Air

The large sculpture seen in the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House is the magnificent work of Architects of Air.

The Mirazozo luminarium is a walk through experience that incorporates light, colour and sound. The journey of this labyrinth includes four domes, tree space and tunnels, each bringing their own experience.

You can hide away in the pockets or stare into the dome centre and let it take you away.

What I loved most was it is an experience that be enjoyed by any age. It was wonderful to seeing young children crawling around discovering the radiance of the Mirazozo.

• I highly recommend Pre booking your session to avoid waiting in a long queue!
• Each session lasts 20 minutes
• You will need to remove your shoes before entering the sculpture
• Get the kids to bring a camera
• Pram parking available

Sydney Opera House Forecourt

3-27 Jan 2011

All tickets $10

For groups of 4+ $8.50

Children aged 2 and under are free with a paying adult

For bookings: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/priority/architects_of_air.aspx?start=yes

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/

Sutra

Sutra an amazing piece of theatre, where East actually meets West in a beautiful marriage of dance and movement. This is a great piece for kids aged over 8. There is incredible movement and lots of action to keep younger audiences engaged. Not to mention the fascination of the 8 year old novice monk on stage.



Flemish/Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui presents a brand new dance work inspired by the skill, strength and spirituality of Buddhist Shaolin monks.

A collaboration with Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley, who has created a design consisting of 21 wooden boxes which move around the stage, are used by the rubber limbed Labi to create illusions, for climbing and for domino like effects.

This is a fabulous piece of theatre, definitely worth catching and another indication of what some investment in the arts can produce. Sadly its hard to imagine something of this scale being created in Oz, as we just don't make this kind of investment.

Currently at Sydney Opera House, but only for one more day.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au