Possum Magic 2023

Mem Fox and Julie Vivas’ beloved picture book ‘Possum Magic’ has enchanted children for decades and Monkey Baa Theatre Company brings the paper and ink to life on stage once again!

Using a clever, nuanced palette of live action, stage magic, an original soundscape, elements of puppetry and projected animation, Monkey Baa’s award-winning creative team have translated the whimsical world of the book to a live experience for audiences 3–8 years (and their families). 

Grandma Poss loves making magic. She makes wombats blue and kookaburras pink. She makes dingoes smile and emus shrink. But one day, when danger arrives in the form of a snake, Grandma uses her most magical spell to make Hush invisible. Hush has many wonderful adventures. But being invisible isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Hush longs to see herself again. One problem. Grandma Poss can’t find the spell to make Hush visible again. And then she remembers... this particular magic requires something more, something special, something to do with food... people food. Possum Magic takes us on a whimsical journey to cities around Australia to find the food that makes Hush visible again.

‘Pack your Grandma, pack your child, pack enough vegemite sandwiches and lamingtons for all and go and treat yourself to a bit of theatrical bush bewitchment with Possum Magic’

ABOUT POSSUM MAGIC

With well over 5 million copies sold, Australia’s top-selling picture book needs no introduction. Possum Magic has enchanted us all for generations. The award-winning adaptation (2019 Glug, Penny Cook Award for The Most Outstanding Production for Children) from Australia’s leading theatre company for young audiences, promises an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.

‘Tenderly made and visually delightful’ ★★★1/2

ABOUT MONKEY BAA

Monkey Baa makes great theatre for young people and for over 24 years we presented award-winning theatrical experiences that inspire and empower young people across Australia and internationally.

For the past decade, Monkey Baa has made its home on Gadigal, at the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre in Sydney. This is where we work, play and produce high-quality theatre. We are one of Australia’s widest touring companies with 28 national tours to 135 regional and remote communities, 5 international tours and over 3000 performances reaching over 1.5 million young people.

Nearly a quarter of a century of operation requires resilience and ingenuity. Much has changed since its inception in 1997 – particularly in the past 2 years – but Monkey Baa’s appetite for development, transformation and renewal remains the same.

Monkey Baa’s vision: a world where all young people are emboldened by creativity.

Monkey Baa’s mission: we empower young people to shape and navigate their lives through inspirational theatre and creative experiences.

MONKEY BAA AWARDS 

2020  Glug Award – Possum Magic
2019   Glug 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 – Hitler’s Daughter
2006   Drover Award – Audience Development

Illustrations copyright © Julie Vivas 1983

TOURING IN 2023

New South Wales
Glen Street Theatre Belrose, NSW | Land of the Garigal People
26 Apr–29 April  

Riverside Theatre Parramatta, NSW | Land of the Darug People
1-3 May

Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Penrith, NSW | Land of the Darug People
4-6 May

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, NSW | Land of the Cabrogal People of the Darug Nation
20 October 

Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, NSW | Land of the Gundungurra People
9 May 

Merrigong Theatre Company Wollongong, NSW | Land of the Dharawal (Thuruwul) People
27-30 September

Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Nowra, NSW | Land of the Dharawal and Yuun Peoples
19 September

Jetty Theatre Coffs Harbour, NSW | Land of the Gumbaynggirr People
7 October

Capitol Theatre Tamworth, NSW | Land of the Gamilaraay People
10-11 October

Manning Entertainment Centre Taree, NSW | Land of the Biripi People
13 October

The Art House Wyong, NSW | Land of the Darkinjung People
16-18 October

Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, NSW | Land of the Tubba-Gah & Wiradjuri Peoples
23-25 October

Orange Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
26-27 October

Griffith Regional Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
31 October

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
2-3 November

Glasshouse Theatre Port Macquarie, NSW | Land of the Birpai People
6-7 November

Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
9-10 November

Queensland
Logan Entertainment Centre, QLD | Land of the Yagara and Yugambeh People
21 June

Redland Performing Arts Centre Cleveland, QLD | Land of the Quandamooka People
27 June

Brisbane Powerhouse, QLD | Land of the Cabrogal People of the Darug Nation
29 June–1 July

Empire Theatres Toowoomba, QLD | Land of the Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair People
4 July

Gympie Civic Centre, QLD | Land of the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi, Butchulla and Wakka Wakka Peoples
7 July  

Pilbeam Theatre Rockhampton, QLD | Land of the Darumbal People
10-11 July

Moncrieff Entertainment Centre Bundaberg, QLD | Land of the Taribelang People
14 July

Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, QLD | Land of the Yuiberra People
17-18 July

Burdekin Theatre Ayr, QLD | Land of the Bindal and Juru People
20 July

Victoria
Riverlinks Venues Shepparton, VIC | Land of the Yorta Yorta Peoples
12 May

Swan Hill Town Hall Performing Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Wamba Wamba People
16 May 

Mildura Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Ladji Ladji People
19 May

Portland Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Gunditjmara, Jardwadjali and Bunganditj People
7-8 August

Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool, VIC | Land of the Gunditjmara People
10-11 August

Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, VIC | Land of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud Peoples
15 August

West Gippsland Arts Centre Warragal, VIC | Land of the Gunaikurnai People
21-22 August

Forge Theatre and Arts Hub Bairnsdale, VIC | Land of the Gunaikurnai, Monero and the Bidawel People
23-24 August 

Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Gunditjmara, Tjap Wurrung and Buganditj People
29 August

Wyndham Cultural Centre Werribee, VIC | Land of the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples
31 August-1 September

Bunjil Place Narre Warren, VIC | Land of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung & Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples
5-6 September

Frankston Arts Centre, VIC | Land of the Bunurong People
7-8 September

Western Australia
Esperance Civic Centre, WA | Land of the Njunga People of the Noongar Nation
30-31 May

Octagon Theatre Perth, WA | Land of the Whadjuk Noongar People
3 June

Red Earth Arts Precinct Karratha, WA | Land of the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi  People
8-9 June

Arts Margaret River, WA | Land of the Wadandi People of the Noongar Nation
13 June

Albany Entertainment Centre, WA | Land of the Minang People of the Noongar Nation
15-16 June

South Australia
Adelaide Festival Centre DreamBIG Festival, SA | Land of the Kaurna People
23-27 May

Northern Territory
Darwin Entertainment Centre, NT | Land of the Larrakia People
24-25 July

Araluen Arts Centre Alice Springs, NT | Land of the Arrernte People
27-28 July

Tasmania
Theatre Royal Hobart, TAS | Land of the Muwinina People
11-13 September

Paranaple Arts Centre Devonport, TAS | Land of the Punnilerpanner People
15 September

ACT
Canberra Theatre Centre, ACT | Land of the Ngunnawal People
21-25 September