Melbourne will come alive this summer with the very best theatrical entertainment for kids and families arriving at Arts Centre Melbourne. Spectacular world-class productions including The Very Cranky Bear and Erth’s Dinosaurs will be presented alongside free interactive outdoor experience, Bees and all topped off with the sweetest finale, a gourmet ice cream parlour.
Life-sized puppets will bring roaring dinosaurs back to life with Erth’s Dinosaurs (9 – 17 January 2027), a bold new adventure transporting audiences to jaw-dropping encounters with the towering carnivores and gentle herbivores from the ancient past. Brought to life by Erth, internationally acclaimed puppet innovators who have redefined live dinosaur performance, this new show reimagines their most iconic prehistoric creatures with updated designs and the latest in paleontogical discoveries.
Three human-sized bees will transform Arts Centre Melbourne’s Forecourt into a humming hive of activity with Bees (18 – 24 January 2027) by Polyglot Theatre. Children and families can join the free interactive fun as they explore together the mysterious world of the fuzzy bumbling insect. Through non-verbal communication, movement and ritual, Bees offers children many different ways to engage, play and participate. Melbourne/Naarm-based Polyglot Theatre creates child-centred works where access and inclusion are prioritised. This season is supported by the City of Melbourne.
Erth’s Dinosaurs and Bees are part of a stacked summer line-up of large-scale stage productions, free events, creative workshops and immersive experiences for kids and families at Arts Centre Melbourne. The summer season is headlined by the brand new musical The Very Cranky Bear (13 – 16 January 2027), based on one of Australia’s most beloved picture book series by Nick Bland.
Since 2009, Arts Centre Melbourne has presented a year-round Kids & Families program featuring intimate and large-scale theatre from some of the world’s most respected companies. Growing in reptuation to become a highly respected program nationally and internationally, the program is robust and growing in size, scale and scope.
Throughout the summer months, a variety of workshops designed for children and their parents to learn and develop skills in music production, magic, dance, magic and performance will be available to participate in at Arts Centre Melbourne. Head to the PLAY program webpage at artscentremelbourne.com.au for dates and times.
Early bird tickets are available to be purchased for Erth’s Dinosaurs until Monday 21 September at 11.59pm.
artscentremelbourne.com.au
