Arts Centre Melbourne’s new Winter/Spring Families program will thrill the young and young at heart with a diverse offering including adaptations of favourite children’s books, high energy circus, a heart-warming musical, international contemporary dance, an immersive interactive light installation and creative workshops.
First in the season is Little Murmur, a new international dance theatre performance featuring ground-breaking projections, an extraordinary soundscape and a blizzard of paper that will delight children aged seven and above from 25 July – 4 August. Bodies and words fly like flocks of birds, a murmuration, in this work by acclaimed British choreographer and Artistic Director Aakash Odedra. Based on his hugely moving show Murmur 2.0, Odedra shows the trials and tribulations of living with dyslexia and overcoming the odds.
Iconic Australian picture book character Grug, will be brought to life on stage from 11- 15 September through intricate award-winning design and puppetry by Windmill Theatre Company. The loveable character, created by Ted Prior, began his life as the top of a Burrawang tree that fell to the ground. Resembling a small, striped haystack with feet and a nose, Grug is fascinated by the world around him.
On 25 and 28 September, international touring sensation Briefs Factory invites mischief makers aged five and above to put on their party outfits and join them for a wildly fun, high-energy afternoon of circus and cabaret in Brat Kids Carnival. Featuring hula hoops at top speed, acrobatics at alarming heights and clowning antics, this cheeky show will have tots to teenagers and even their mums and dads dancing to pumping music, marvelling at eye-popping party tricks and other ridiculous acts of amazement.
Interactive installation Sea of Light by Patch Theatre will capture the imagination of children aged four and above from 1 – 5 October. Using a UV torch as a paintbrush participants will reveal artworks by Aboriginal contemporary visual artist Elizabeth Close across the sea floor. These paintings, informed by the diversity of the Australian landscape, speak to the connection between land and sea, the earth and waterways. They reflect the deep relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia have with Country
Fans of Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s books will be enthralled by Money Baa Theatre Company’s adaptation of much-loved tale Josephine Wants to Dance. The hilarious musical about the importance of believing in yourself follows a dancing kangaroo who is determined to follow her dreams.
Children and their families can also participate in a diverse range of fun and engaging workshops at Arts Centre Melbourne’s creative learning hub, The Channel.
The winter spring season is presented as part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s year-round Families and Children Program. Launched in August 2009, it has grown in reputation to become a highly respected program nationally and internationally. Featuring intimate and large-scale theatre from some of the world’s most respected companies and a diverse range of interactive workshops, the program is robust and growing in size, scale, and scope.
