This summer, Sydney Opera House will present a wonder-filled children and families season showcasing world-leading art and performance by international artists alongside smash hit stage shows and inspiring holiday workshops.
Season highlights include: Colour In Worlds, a unique collaborative artwork by world-renowned Thai artist Mit Jai Inn that invites kids and families to make their mark on an immersive soft sculpture; the three-day London International Animation Festival showcasing diverse perspectives from around the world; heartwarming adaptations of favourite kids’ books Grug and the Rainbow and Josephine Wants to Dance and a brand new Operation Ouch show by TV’s favourite twin doctors, Dr Chris and Dr Xand.
“It is our heartfelt quest to inspire growing minds through the power of the arts, nurturing creativity, collaboration and critical thinking,” said Sydney Opera House Head of Children, Families and Creative Learning, Tamara Harrison. “This summer, we’re thrilled to present some of the world’s best children’s programming on our stages and in our Centre for Creativity.
“We’ll welcome artists from Singapore’s The Artground to host an artist exchange lab and present a series of interactive baby and children’s performances, and a highlight of the program will be watching Mit Jai Inn’s participatory installation unfold in a riot of colour.”
“Capping off the season is Free to Dance, a celebratory dance class for the LGBTIQ+ community, and an array of design, artmaking and storytelling experiences designed to nurture creativity in kids and the young at heart,” said Ms Harrison.
Summer highlights include:
BABIES (6 – 18 MONTHS)
Drop in the Ocean
14 & 22 December
A sensory theatrical experience by The Artground, Singapore, that explores the relationship between the ocean and its Inhabitants through various sound, music and movement.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (2 – 10 YEAR OLDS)
Grug and the Rainbow
11 – 22 December
Based on the beloved novel by Ted Prior, this Windmill Theatre Company stage adaptation follows the story of Grug, the cherished Burrawang tree character as he embarks on an epic adventure. With a lovingly crafted set and exquisite puppetry, this performance is the perfect introduction to theatre for children aged 2+.
Colour In Worlds
3 – 15 January
Children aged 4+ are invited to explore and take part in an immersive sculptural installation created by the internationally celebrated Thai artist Mit Jai Inn. This participatory experience will evolve over the week as audiences bring it to life with their imaginative contributions through paint markings, colourful drawings and design.
Josephine Wants to Dance
3 – 15 January
Making her Sydney Opera House stage debut, Josephine the Kangaroo will dance her way through this beautiful Monkey Baa Theatre Company stage adaptation of Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s classic book. Programmed for children aged 3+, this heartwarming tale shares the importance of following your dreams, despite all odds.
London International Animation Festival
17 – 19 January
Arriving direct from London, this festival will transform the Playhouse into a red-carpet experience for our small but mighty superstars (children aged 2-14), where an incredible variety of independent animations from across the globe will be presented over three days.
Operation Ouch! Live: Quest for the Jurassic Fart
20 – 21 January
Following four sell-out Australian tours and two smash-hit seasons in London’s West End, TV’s favourite twin doctors Dr Chris and Dr Xand are back with a new show for kids aged 5+. Curious minds will be taken on a dino-mite adventure through thrilling experiments, scientific facts and laugh-out-loud comedy to uncover the greatest, most important fart in history.
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS
Sound Stories
15 & 21 December
In this collaborative parent-child (ages 5 – 9) workshop presented by The Artground, participants will turn the tapestry of every sounds into enchanting soundscapes.
Invisible Invincible
15 & 21 December
Promoting and igniting the power of imagination, this interactive workshop from The Artground takes audiences aged 3 – 6 on a journey following two different individuals and their friendship. Accompanied by live music, this event will explore the notion that ‘what is not visible is not invisible’.
Force Majeure: How To Grow Your Garden
13 – 15 February
In a unique behind-the-scenes sneak peek, performers from critically acclaimed dance theatre Force Majeure will workshop an immersive storytelling project. Here, the narrative is built in collaboration with the audiences aged 2 – 10 in a unique synthesis of movement, spoken word and interdisciplinary creative forms. FREE!
ALL AGES WORKSHOPS
Free to Dance
22 – 23 February
A celebratory dance class for the LGBTIQ+ community where participants of all ages and abilities will be guided by professional dancers through a simple yet joyful choreographed collective dance. FREE!
Images: Grug and the Rainbow – courtesy of Windmill Theatre Company | Mit Jai Inn, Color in Cave’, a UOB Museum MACAN Children’s Art Space Commission. Installation view at Museum MACAN, 2019–2020. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.