Actor On A Box: The Dreaming

The Dreaming or Wake Up Australia is an Aboriginal story of how Wahn the beautiful crow set about waking up Australia from an ice cold slumber. This is a production is for children aged 3+ at the Sydney Theatre and is playing now until 23 April.  It is directed by Leah Purcell with a performance by Angeline Penrith.
Yesterday I rolled back the years a long long way and went along to see the show. The children were all very excited especially when they entered the theatre to find lots of comfy cushions to sit on.  The first half tells the stories of Wake Up Australia through story telling, dance and music.  The children seem to be very engrossed in the story and they particularly liked the crows costume made of colourful scarves and the glittery pieces of paper she threw around the stage. The only thing that let it down for me was that all the singing and story telling was recorded and Angeline only mimed rather than giving a live performance, however I am an adult and this didn't detract from the children's enjoyment. 
Once the story was told the children got a chance to be involved.  Firstly, they learnt some of the Aboriginal words used in the story.  Then, they repeated some of the songs and the children were taught the movements to join in. The adults had to get involved too! Then they all got to colour in pictures of Angeline in the story and leave their signed hand on the wall. I have to admit I didn't colour in a picture so I didn't see the end results but judging by the children's enthusiasm they would have produced some colourful colourings!

So, if you and your children are looking for something to do this Easter book yourselves into the show, it is a great introduction to the Theatre if they haven't been before, or as I learned yesterday, deadly (aboriginal word for cool/ fantastic).