ENJOY SOME FAMILY FUN AT ARTS CENTRE
MELBOURNE THIS SUMMER AND AUTUMN
A flying witch, world class clowning duo, recycled mini-city, Mr Stink,
Shakespeare with a twist and “sheep” on the lawn!
MELBOURNE, THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2016 - An exciting summer and autumn program featuring a witchy ride
through the skies, a New York-based clowning duo with breathtaking air sculptures, Canadian “sheep” on the lawn and a
fake-bloody Shakespearean tale will make Arts Centre Melbourne the place for families when the weather warms up.
Little ones and their grown-ups are invited to fly into the Playhouse theatre this summer for the magical adaptation of
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Room on the Broom from 4 - 15 January 2017. During the season mini town
planners, master builders and budding architects are invited to build a micro-city with their bare hands in the free event
Imaginary Architecture.
The young and young at heart will be wowed by the New York clowning duo – The Acrobuffos who will take audiences on
an epic comic adventure filled with breathtaking air sculptures and laugh-out-loud physical comedy in Air Play from 18- 22
January at the Stage Theatre. Those keen on an interactive adventure can get lost in an exciting new adventure game In
A Deep Dark Forest from 11 – 15 January, or have fun with Les Moutons (The Sheep) who will take up residence on
the Arts Centre Melbourne Lawn from 19 - 22 January for an unforgettable stay this summer.
Older children will enjoy Company 13’s Macdeth, a Shakespearian treat performed in an immediate, filmic style from 19 21 January in the Fairfax Studio. The funny, cautionary and fake-bloody tale combines Shakespeare’s rich language with
a healthy dose of invention and idiocy.
In March – as part of the Asia TOPA festival - Arts Centre Melbourne presents Polyglot Theatre and Papermoon
Puppet Theatre’s Cerita Anak (Child’s Story). The performance takes pre-school children and their adults on a sea
journey never to be forgotten. Then in April, CDP Kids adaptation of David Walliams’ Mr Stink will be performed from
1-9 April, followed by Cypher, a raw celebration of hip hop culture choreographed by Nick Power in the Playhouse
Rehearsal Room from 20 and 21 May.
Arts Centre Melbourne’s year-round Families Program was launched in August 2009 and has grown in reputation to
become a highly respected program both in Melbourne and nationally. Featuring free events, 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.
Families Summer/Autumn 2017
Arts Centre Melbourne presents CDP with Tall Stories’ production of
Room on the Broom
Join the witch and her cat on their mission to defeat the dragon in this magical, musical adaptation of the awardwinning children’s book! Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up – and their grown-ups.
4 – 15 December
10am & 12pm: 4, 6, 8 & 10 to 15 January
10am, 12pm & 3pm: 5 & 7 January
Playhouse
Ages 3-7
Arts Centre Melbourne presents Lara Tumak’s
Imaginary Architecture
We’re calling all town planners, master builders and architects extraordinaire to come together and create a mega
mini-city for all to explore. We will use nothing but our bare hands, wondrous imaginations and a whole lot of recycled
materials. Please bring an empty box (cereal, teabag or biscuit boxes), grab a torch and follow the instructions. Get
dreaming and start making! Why not make a day of it? Stay and play before or after a performance of Room on the
Broom.
4 – 15 January
9am to 3pm: 4, 6, 8 & 10 to 14January
9am to 4pm: 5 & 7 January
9am to 2pm: 15 January
Smorgon Family Plaza
FREE
All Ages
Arts Centre Melbourne presents The Inhabitors’
In A Deep Dark Forest
In a faraway place, not so dissimilar to our own, an enchanted forest is in seriously, serious trouble. Our story begins
as a tribe of brave children (and their elders), armed with tiny torches, set forth into the darkness on a daring quest to
return the light… In A Deep Dark Forest is an exciting new adventure game, set in a magical pop-up forest and played
in the dark. A charming shared adventure for families; this is your chance to experience a live bedtime story together.
11 – 15 January
10am & 2pm:
11, 13 & 15 January
9.30am, 12pm & 4pm:
12 & 14 January
State Theatre Rehearsal Room
Ages 6+
Arts Centre Melbourne presents Acrofbuffos’
Air Play
A comic adventure so epic it will lift audiences out of their seats, Air Play marries the laugh-out loud physical antics of
New York duo Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone with the breathtaking air sculptures of artist Daniel Wurtzel.
Umbrellas, kites, balloons and snow are the constant companions of a sister and brother whose rivalry is only
matched by their affection, and as their wordless adventures take them far beyond the everyday you might wonder if
they’ll ever touch the ground again.
18 – 22 January
6pm: 18 January
11am & 3pm: 19 & 22 January
2pm & 6pm: 20 & 21 January
State Theatre
All Ages
Arts Centre Melbourne presents CORPUS’
Les Moutons
They look like sheep. They sound like sheep. They even get sheared. Meet Julie, Marie-Louise, Bernadette, and
César as Les Moutons (The Sheep) take up residence on the Arts Centre Melbourne Lawn for an unforgettable stay
this summer! This truly innovative performance twists reality in surprising ways and takes audience interaction to new
heights.
19 – 22 January
10.15am, 12pm & 4pm: 19 January
10.15am, 1.15pm: 20 & 22 January
10.15am, 1.15pm & 3pm: 21 January
Arts Centre Melbourne Lawn
FREE
All Ages
Arts Centre Melbourne presents Guru Dudu’s
Silent Disco
In celebration of Kylie on Stage, Guru Dudu visits Arts Centre Melbourne with his unique Silent Disco Walking Tours.
Everyone is given a set of headphones and listens to the hilarious commentary, upbeat disco hits and some Kylie
Minogue favourites as we spontaneously flash-mob and dance-walk our way around the Arts Precinct and
neighbouring streets. Its non-stop fun and sure to put a smile on your dial.
7, 8, 11, 14 & 15 January
11am & 6pm
Ages 6+
Arts Centre Melbourne presents a CDP Kids Production
Mr Stink
Hold onto your nose for this touching, twisted and very smelly adaptation of David Walliams’ award-winning children’s
book, live on stage! It all starts when Chloe, just about the loneliest girl in the world, makes friends with Mr Stink, the
local tramp. Sure he smells a bit, but he’s the only person who has ever been nice to her. So when Mr Stink needs a
place to stay, Chloe decides to hide him in the garden shed. Now Chloe’s got to make sure no one finds out her
secret. And speaking of secrets, there just might be more to Mr Stink than meets the eye… or the nose…
1 - 9 April
10am, 12pm & 3.30pm: 1 & 8 April
11am & 2pm: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 9 April
Auslan Interpreted performance: 1 April, 12pm
Access Friendly performance: 5 April, 11am
Playhouse
Ages 6-12
Arts Centre Melbourne and Bank of Melbourne present in partnership with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures & Re:Bourne
Lord of the Flies
An Australian premiere exclusive to Melbourne, Lord of the Flies brings this age-old story to life with raw energy,
emotional intensity and breathtaking performances. Sir Matthew Bourne’s (OBE) New Adventures & Re: Bourne
(Edward Scissorhands and the famous Swan Lake) transform William Golding’s classic novel Lord of the Flies for the
stage. Lord of the Flies brings together a cast of UK and Australian professional dancers and remarkable young talent
from across Victoria.
5 - 9 April
7pm: 5 to 8 April
2pm: 8 April
3pm: 9 April
State Theatre
Ages 8+
Arts Centre Melbourne presents ACCOMPLICE’S
Cypher
Step into the Cypher, the circle where power moves, footwork and funk is the language. A raw celebration of hip-hop
culture, Cypher is your chance to share the space with four ultra-skilled, world class b-boys as they battle it out in the
ultimate hip hop ritual. Choreographed by hip-hop heavyweight Nick Power and backed by the booming beats of
sound designer Jack Prest, Cypher invites you to step to the edge of the circle and witness the raw energy and culture
within.
20 & 21 May
2pm & 7pm
Playhouse Rehearsal Room
Ages 8+
WORKSHOPS
Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Siblings in Sync
This award-winning program sees kids with disabilities and their siblings engage in accessible music activities. Shared
abilities and mutual respect are encouraged, all while having fun with instruments. Run by Registered Music
Therapists, this small group workshop is tailored to suit individual needs.
12 January -1pm
4 & 6 April - 11am
The Channel
Recommended for ages 5 - 10
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adult free.
For bookings and information call 9281 8790 or email [email protected]
Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Instant Rockstar
Kids get to be the rock star and director in this ever-popular music video workshop. Create a song using lots of cool
music samples and then use the track to make a great music video.
10 & 18 January, 18 February, 18 March, 3 & 11 April, 20 May
10.30am
The Channel
Recommended for ages 8 – 12
Arts Centre Melbourne presents Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s
Class Clowns Comedy Crash Course Workshop
Calling all cheeky cherubs and funny monkeys! This two-hour workshop will offer a crash course in comedy from a
professional comedian – with an emphasis on learning how to write jokes, tell funny stories, develop sketches and
have a laugh in the process.
13 January & 3 April
11am (ages 10-12)
2pm (ages 13-16)
The Channel
Recommended for ages 10 – 16
Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Ultimate Rockstar
Phase two on your journey into the world of rock superstardom! The second part in our Rockstar series of workshops,
Ultimate Rockstar is for those headed straight to the top! If you attended and loved the Instant Rockstar session, join
us again to extend your knowledge of digital music making.
13 January & 5 April
10.30am
The Channel
Recommended for ages 8 - 14
Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Sound Beginnings
This music therapy program brings children who have delayed development or disabilities together with their families
to create and share music. Held over six sessions in small groups, the program is run by Registered Music Therapists
and is tailored to suit individual needs.
Every Thursday for six weeks, 9 February - 16 March
10.15am & 11.30am
The Channel
Recommended for ages 3-5
For bookings and info call 9281 8790 or email [email protected]
Arts Centre Melbourne presents MILKE’s
Now Hear This – A Live Sound Effects Workshop
Join in and become part of the story in this hands-on sound effect workshop. Learn the art of creating Foley with
everyday items and then provide the sound effects for a live reading of a script. Everyday household items become
amazing sounds in this journey of discovery about how sound effects are made for the movies, TV and radio. A
recording of the performance will be made available after the workshop to share with friends and family.
7 April
10.30am & 1.30pm
The Channel
Recommended for ages 8-13
Arts Centre Melbourne presents Lee Cohen’s
The Magic Workshop
Discover the art of magic! Step behind the velvet curtain and uncover the mysteries of magic with The Magic
Workshop. Once you’ve sworn the magician’s oath, you’ll be let into a world of secrets and mind-boggling twists and
turns! Participants will receive a bag of tricks to take home to amaze your family and friends.
16 January, 10 & 12 April
11am (ages 10-12), 2pm (ages 13-16):16 January & 12 April
11am & 2pm (ages 10-12): 10 April
The Channel
Ages 10 - 16
Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Families Summer/Autumn 2017
Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183
Please note transaction fees may apply
*Tickets for the Family program are now available*
For more information about Arts Centre Melbourne visit artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.
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For further media information and interviews, please contact: Suzanne Robson, Publicist on 03 9281 8526 /
0407 443 271 or [email protected]