Josephine Wants to Dance
Based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
Adapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandie Eldridge and Tim McGarry
A hilarious Australian musical based on the hugely popular picture book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. Touring nationally in 2025 and created for the stage by the team that brought you the award-winning Pete the Sheep, this delightful work by Monkey Baa Theatre Company brings to life a tale about a bush kangaroo you’ll never forget.
Photo by Alex Vaughan.
★★★★ - “A complete delight.”
ABOUT THE SHOW
She's bold. She's bouncy. She's back!
A hilarious musical about self-discovery, ballet, hip-hop and... a kangaroo!
Based on the picture book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley, this delightful musical is a must see!
Josephine is a kangaroo who loves to dance. Her little brother, Joey, tells her kangaroos don't dance, they hop - but Josephine continues to point her toes and leap through the air. When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully, Josephine desperately wants to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes.
On the day of the first performance the Ballet Company is in trouble. The prima ballerina twists her ankle and the understudy has a splinter in her toe. Who can dance the lead role? Josephine's talents are called upon to help save the day. Can she do it, and more importantly, does it matter that she's a kangaroo?
Best Production for Children
– 2019 Sydney Theatre Award –
REVIEWS
"If you have children to
take, then, take them. If you don't, still go. Don't be shy. Just, go, go, go.”
Kevin Jackson, Kevin Jackson Theatre Diaries
"The show is sharp and
funny and the songs suitably witty, appealing to all ages… I strongly advise
that you take your children."
Bronwyn Fullerton, Arts Guide Sydney
"...a must see for anyone
with a sense of wonder, whether 4 or 40 or even older. With a delightful
message that anything is possible if you work hard.”
Jade Kops, Broadway World
Touring in 2025
Glen Street Theatre, Belrose NSW | Land of the Garigal People
14-19 March | BOOK
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith NSW | Land of the Dharug People
20-22 March | BOOK
Mildura Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri Peoples
26 March | BOOK
Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Gunditjmara, Tjapwurong and Bunganditj Peoples
29 March | BOOK
Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat VIC | Land of the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples
1 April | BOOK
Bendigo Venues & Events, VIC | Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung People
3 April | BOOK
Forge Theatre & Arts Hub, Bairnsdale VIC | Land of the Gunaikurnai People
5-7 April | BOOK
The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi VIC | Land of the Bunurong and Boonwurrung Peoples
9 April | BOOK
Alexander Theatre, Clayton VIC | Land of the Bunurong People
11-12 April | BOOK
Geelong Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Wathaurong (Wadawurrung) People
16-17 April | BOOK
Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool VIC | Land of the Gunditjmara People
23 April | BOOK
Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre, VIC | Land of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud Peoples
28-29 April | BOOK
West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul VIC | Land of the Gunaikurnai People
1 May | BOOK
The Round, Nunawading VIC | Land of the Wurundjeri-Balluk People
3 May | BOOK
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, WA | Land of the Wardandi People of the Noongar Nation
7 May | BOOK
Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth WA | Land of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people
10-11 May | BOOK
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, WA | Land of the Bindjareb People
14 May | BOOK
Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton WA | Land of the Yamatji People
15-16 May | COMING SOON
Esperance Civic Centre, WA | Land of the Njunga People of the Noongar Nation
23 May | BOOK
Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie WA | Land of the Wangkatja People
26-27 May | COMING SOON
Albany Entertainment Centre, WA | Land of the Minang People of the Noongar Nation
29-30 May | BOOK
Rockhampton Venues and Events, Pilbeam QLD | Land of the Darumbal People
24 June | BOOK
Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg QLD | Land of the Taribelang People
28 June | BOOK
The Events Centre, Caloundra QLD | Land of the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Peoples
2 July | BOOK
Logan Entertainment Centre, QLD | Land of the Yugambeh People
4 July | BOOK
Brisbane Powerhouse, QLD | Land of the Turrbal and Jagera People
7-9 July | COMING SOON
Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre, Picton NSW | Land of the Dharawal and Gundungurra Peoples
12 July | BOOK
The Concourse, Chatswood NSW | Land of the Cammeraygal People
16-17 July | BOOK
Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill NSW | Land of the Darug People
19 July | BOOK
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra NSW | Land of the Dharawal and Yuin Peoples
22 July | BOOK
Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW | Land of the Gamilaraay People
24-25 July | BOOK
Orange Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
28 July | BOOK
Griffith Regional Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
31 July - 1 August | COMING SOON
Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
5-6 August | BOOK
Glasshouse, Port Macquarie NSW | Land of the Birpai People
12-13 August | BOOK
Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree NSW | Land of the Biripi People
15 August | BOOK
Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC), NSW | Land of the Wonnarua People
18 August | BOOK
The Art House, Wyong NSW | Land of the Darkinjung People
20-21 August | COMING SOON
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta NSW | Land of the Dharug People
26-29 August | BOOK
The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre, Sutherland NSW | Land of the Darug People
2 September | BOOK
Touring
March - September 2025
CREDITS
Based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
Adapted for the stage by Eva Di Cesare, Sandie Eldridge, Tim McGarry
Illustrations by Bruce Whatley
Director Jonathan Biggins
Composer/Lyricist Phil Scott
Choreographer Tim Harbour
Set & Costume Designer James Browne
Lighting designer Emma Lockhart-Wilson
Sound Designer David Bergman
Musical Director Michael Tyack
Remount Lighting Designer Veronique Benett
Costume Cutter Marianne Close
Cast Lily Baulderstone, Nina Carmen,
Hannah Gwatkin, Callum Slater,
Georgia Unsworth (understudy), Teo Persechino (understudy)
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.