Visiting two of Australia’s most iconic performing arts venues, the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne, WA’s Sensorium Theatre will bring their unique production, Oddysea to children with complex and multiple disabilities in their first tour interstate tour during August and September.
Taking young audiences on an amazing undersea journey, Sensorium Theatre’s Oddysea is a multi-sensory performance specifically designed for audiences with special needs, produced by Performing Lines WA.
Oddysea follows the adventures of Crab and Turtle as they dive deep beneath the sea, meeting a cast of colourful characters in this story of fun and friendship. Set in a beautiful oceanic installation, the story unfolds around each child, using song, touch, smell and taste. Children attend preparatory workshops to meet the performers, characters and concepts in the show before seeing the final production.
Sensorium Theatre is at the forefront of inclusive performance in Australia, providing all children access to enriching artistic experiences and professional development for carers, teachers and venue staff.
“The ability to enjoy a story should be a right for kids with special needs,” said Co-Artistic Director Francis Italiano. “We provide as many sensory ‘ins’ as possible – things to touch and smell and taste – so that everyone can experience the story.”
The public performances allow families to attend as a group and enjoy the performance together, with the needs of their child being at the forefront of the performers’ minds.
“Too often performances are designed for mainstream kids and sometimes a session gets adapted for children with special needs. We turned that on its head and created a show specifically for children with disabilities,” Italiano said.
Oddysea
Utzon Room – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
Season: 11 – 22 August 2015
Bookings: (02) 9250 7755 or online at: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
The Channel – Arts Centre Melbourne
Season: 25 August – 5 September 2015
Bookings: 1300 182 183 or online at: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
For more information, visit: www.sensoriumtheatre.com or www.performinglineswa.org.au for details.
Image: Oddysea – photo by Jessica Wyld