Edward the Emu 2022
Based on the picture books by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement
Written for the stage and directed by Eva Di Cesare
The award-winning Monkey Baa team brings to the stage a clever and funny new imagining, combining two classic Australian books - Edward the Emu and Edwina the Emu. Both wonder if there is more to life than being an emu but after adventures beyond their enclosures, they discover that the best thing you can be is…you!
PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS MONKEY BAA SHOWS
“This production is an experience to treasure and take with you to bedtime. Young or old, Possum Magic brings the paper and ink to life in a glorious way that children obviously adore and carers remember with genuine love and affection" (Possum Magic) Judith Greenaway, Arts Hub
"Vital, exuberant, aspirational, and inspirational." (The Peasant Prince) Australian Stage full review
"A stimulating and valuable piece of theatre…. given the importance of the subject and the care with which it has been handled." (I am Jack) Newcastle Herald
"This production is fun-filled and entertaining and, as with all of monkey baa’s productions, a great way to introduce children to the theatre." (The Bugalugs Bum Thief) Stage Whispers full review
"The journey was spellbinding." (Hitler's Daughter) The Gladstone Observer
“Josephine Wants to Dance is a well-crafted, incredibly intelligent work... As with Monkey Baa's other works, this production respects its audience intelligence and inquisitiveness, presenting the work with an honesty within the fantasy.” (Josephine Wants to Dance) Broadway World
ABOUT THE SHOW
Edward is bored with his lot. Being the only emu at the zoo has left him feeling glum and under the impression that the grass is greener in everyone else’s enclosure. Maybe being a seal, or a lion, or a snake might be a better option in life for a lonely bird? Convinced that the other creatures are more popular, Edward breaks ranks and goes to find the fun and along the way, finds Edwina! We follow the emus as they hilariously navigate their own feathered existential crises, seeking to find their place in the world. Meanwhile, unaware of the birds’ internal worlds, their human keepers are in hot pursuit to restore order to the zoo.
This work includes world-class puppetry, an original score and spoken word, and explore themes around envy, identity, belonging and self-belief.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Monkey Baa is Australia’s widest-reaching touring company for young audiences. Over 22 years, the company has conducted over 28 national tours to 138 regional and remote communities across Australia, undertaken 4 international tours, delivered 3,200 performances and engaged with over 1.5 million young people!
Monkey Baa’s mission is to create, present and share uniquely Australian stories that embrace social and cultural connectivity, celebrate Australia’s rich cultural heritage, challenge and inspire. By touring its award-winning productions and high-quality education programs, the company strives to ensure that young people, wherever they are located and whatever their economic circumstances, have the opportunity to share in fantastic theatre experiences that reflect their own lives.
AWARDS
2019 Glug Award – The Penny Cook Award for Most Outstanding Production for Children – Possum Magic
2019 Glug Award – Josephine Wants to Dance
2019 Sydney Theatre Award – Josephine Wants to Dance
2018 Glug Award - Diary of A Wombat
2017 Sydney Theatre Awards – For 20 years of Service to the Children and Young People of Australia
2017 Drover Award – The Peasant Prince Tour of the Year
2016 Sydney Theatre Awards – The Peasant Prince
2016 Glug Award – The Peasant Prince
2015 Drover Award – APACA Touring Legend
2015 Glug Award – The Unknown Soldier
2014 Glug Award – Pete the Sheep
2011 Glug Award – Hitler’s Daughter
2010 Helpmann Award – Thursday’s Child
2010 Glug Award – FOX
2007 Helpmann Award – Hitler’s Daughter
2007 Drover Award – Touring Excellence
2006 Drover Award – Audience Development
PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS MONKEY BAA SHOWS
“This production is an experience to treasure and take with you to bedtime. Young or old, Possum Magic brings the paper and ink to life in a glorious way that children obviously adore and carers remember with genuine love and affection" (Possum Magic) Judith Greenaway, Arts Hub
"Vital, exuberant, aspirational, and inspirational." (The Peasant Prince) Australian Stage full review
"A stimulating and valuable piece of theatre…. given the importance of the subject and the care with which it has been handled." (I am Jack) Newcastle Herald
"This production is fun-filled and entertaining and, as with all of monkey baa’s productions, a great way to introduce children to the theatre." (The Bugalugs Bum Thief) Stage Whispers full review
"The journey was spellbinding." (Hitler's Daughter) The Gladstone Observer
“Josephine Wants to Dance is a well-crafted, incredibly intelligent work... As with Monkey Baa's other works, this production respects its audience intelligence and inquisitiveness, presenting the work with an honesty within the fantasy.” (Josephine Wants to Dance) Broadway World
FROM THE DIRECTOR
The time has come for the Emus to tell the story, their way. Featuring narrator Edwina at the helm, expect to be transported into the emus’ world with Edward’s antics, the ups and downs of the zoo’s colourful characters, all through a fusion of exquisite puppetry and music.
Eva Di Cesare
TOURING IN 2022
Riverside Theatres Parramatta, NSW | Land of the Darug people
28-30 April
Glen Street Theatre Belrose, NSW | Land of the Gai-mariagal People
4-7 May
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, NSW | Land of the Darug, Gandangara & Tharawal people
9-10 May
Logan Entertainment Centre, QLD | Land of the Yugambeh People
19 May
HOTA – Home of the Arts, QLD | Land of the Yugambeh People
20-21 May
Empire Theatre Toowoomba, QLD |Land of the Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair People
23-24 May
Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, QLD | Land of the Yuiberra People
26-27 May
Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, QLD| Land of the Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Bailai and Bunda Peoples
30-31 May
Burdekin Theatre Ayr, QLD| Land of the Juru People
3 June
Moncrieff Entertainment Centre Bundaberg, QLD | Land of the Taribelang People
10 June
Pilbeam Theatre Rockhampton, QLD | Land of the Darumbal People
13-14 June
Redland Performing Arts Centre Cleveland, QLD | Land of the Quandamooka Peoples
17 June
Darwin Entertainment Centre, NT | Land of the Larrakia People
21-22 June
Mount Isa Civic Centre, QLD | Land of the Kalkadoon Peoples
25 June
Brisbane Powerhouse, QLD | Land of the Turrbal and Jagera Peoples
29-30 June
Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre, VIC | Land of the Bpangerang People
14-15 July
Mildura Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri People
19 July
Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre, VIC |Land of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud People
22 July
Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool, VIC | Land of the Gunditjmara People
26-27 July
Geelong Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Wathaurong (Wadawarrung) People
29-30 July
West Gippsland Arts Centre Warragul, VIC |Land of the Gunaikurnai People
2 August
Forge Theatre & Arts Hub Bairnsdale, VIC | Land of the Gunaikurnai People
3-4 August
Bunjil Place Narre Warren, VIC | Land of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples
8-9 August
Frankston Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Bunurong People
12 August
Swan Hill Town Hall Performing Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Wamba Wamba People
16 August
Domain Theatre Marion, SA | Land of the Kaurna People
19 August
Cummins Theatre Merredin, WA | Land of the Njaki Njaki Nyoongar People
24 August
University Theatres Crawley, WA |Land of the Whadjuk Nyoongar People
26-27 August
Esperance Civic Centre, WA | Land of the Njunga People of the Noongar Nation
30 August
Albany Entertainment Centre, WA | Land of the Minang People of the Noongar Nation
2 September
Red Earth Arts Centre Karratha, WA | Land of the Ngarluma and Yinidbarndi People
5-6 September
Queens Park Theatre Geraldton, WA | Land of the Yamatji Peoples
8-9 September
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Nowra, NSW | Land of the Dharawal and Yuin people
18 October
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
20-21 October
Griffith Regional Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
25 October
Orange Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
27-28 October
Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, NSW | Land of the Tubba-Gah & Wiradjuri People
31 October-1 November
Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre, NSW | Land of the Gamilaraay People
3-4 November
Glasshouse Port Macquarie, NSW | Land of the Birpai People
7-8 November
Manning Entertainment Centre Taree, NSW | Land of the Biripi People
11 November
The Art House Wyong, NSW | Land of the Darkinjung People
14-15 November
Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, NSW | Land of the Gundungurra People
18 November
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Penrith, NSW | Land of the Darug People
22-23 November
Previous Tour
June - November 2022
CREDITS
Writer & Director Eva Di Cesare
Set & Costume Design Isabel Hudson
Puppetry Director Alice Osborne
Composer & Sound Design Nate Edmondson
Lighting Design Matt Cox
Dramaturg Sandra Eldridge
Assistant Director Warwick Doddrell
Puppetry Designer & Maker Bryony Anderson
Company Stage Manager Cally Bartley
Touring Technical Coordinator Dana Ioppolo
Cast Paul Grabovac, Tina Jackson & Matthew Lee
If you are interested in touring get in contact!
Arts on Tour
02 8038 1880
touring@artsontour.com.au
Arts on Tour is based in Redfern NSW and we respectfully acknowledge the Gadigal people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded land on which we work.
As we tour artists and productions across these vast lands, we pay our respect to all First Nations Elders, past, present and future.
We celebrate their continuing connection and contribution to culture, country and community, and thank all First Nations peoples for their wisdom in caring for the land, the sky, the rivers and the sea.