Storm boy is a poignant coming of age tale, it hearkens to nature, mans place within it, familial relationships, growing up, resisting and accepting change, and embracing ones identity. This first collaboration between barking gecko theatre company and sydney theatre company is a worthy one with barking gecko s artistic director at the directive helm of this stunning play. Barking gecko theatre company presents storm boy at the state theatre centre of wa, perth, from september 21october 5. He has categorically achieved this with the companys production my robot. Crikey colin thieles storm boy is one of australias best loved. Barking gecko theatre company barking gecko ignites the imagination of children, young people and their families through extraordinary theatre. Barking gecko theatre company partners with sydney theatre company to bring this moving tale to the stage at the state theatre centre this september. Forty years later a team from perths barking gecko company and sydney theatre company followed thiele. Storm boy is a stage adaptation of colin thieles classic.
Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. When they suddenly launch into the air and set off across the sky, cathelijn learns that this is no ordinary house. Theatre productions are staged regularly to introduce new generations of children to the story, and its lessons. Barking gecko theatre was premiere childrens theatre. This muchloved classic of australian childrens literature and film is brought to theatrical life, in collaboration with perths barking gecko theatre company, on one of the main stages of the. Young audience will be storm boys true test sydney morning herald. Colin thieles muchloved 1963 childrens novel storm boy is a contemporary classic, its profile enhanced by the 1976 film. Barking gecko flies high with storm boy outinperth. No one ever sees the same show as someone else that is one of theatre s immutable givens and one of its endless fascinations. Last year, the barking gecko audience was treated to another stage version of a beloved australian book, colin thieles storm boy, in partnership with the sydney theatre company, which two years ago brought kate grenvilles novel the secret river to the stage. Storm boy is being presented as a coproduction by perths barking gecko theatre company and the sydney theatre company. Playwright tom holloways version has a clear focus on younger audiences although thats not to say theres not plenty for adults to enjoy so it was a little difficult to gauge exactly what the reaction might be to an understated and often dark piece of.
The 1964 childrens book storm boy, written by colin thiele and illustrated by robert ingpen. The 20 production of colin thieles storm boy, adapted for the stage by tom holloway in a coproduction by sydney theatre company stc with perths barking gecko theatre. Storm boy is a joint production of the sydney theatre company and the perth company, barking gecko theatre. At a grass roots level, barking gecko delivers drama programs for children ages 4 18 across perth, regional and remote wa every year. Otis pavlovic with a pelican in the sydney theatre company barking gecko theatre companys production of storm boy. From our home in perth, we create shows that celebrate childrens unique worldview and expansive imaginations.
Like those two productions, jasper jones will not be a slavish adaptation, mulvany says. When pressed, the barking gecko theatre company artistic director confesses to. Barking gecko theatre keeps the focus on children by creating a work that will leave adults surreptitiously dabbing at eyes as the house lights rise, tapping into the core of hopes and dreams within each of us. A return season for a cherished childhood favourite. The 1980s movie version is a classic and still holds up very well today. Now comes a beautiful stage adaptation by sydney theatre company and perths barking gecko theatre company. Storm boy, from book to film to the stage books and arts. Discover our inschool programs, theatre excursions, school matinees and support for educators. Sydney theatre company presents a sydney theatre company and barking gecko theatre company production of storm boy by colin thiele, adapted for the stage by tom holloway.
The new tour of this show gives audiences a second chance to see the enchantingly beautiful telling of a classic australian story. A barking gecko and sydney theatre company production, premiered in 20, remounted and toured in 2015 demonstrates barking gecko s ability to partner with storm boy trailer hd on vimeo join. Barking gecko s shows bring together the finest artists to share unique stories that inspire curiosity, empathy and play. Storm boy abc perth australian broadcasting corporation. Jasper jones finds a home on stage the west australian. Inside the cavernous stage area of the heath ledger sits a sculptural wooden wave designed by michael scottmitchell. A boys last childhood summer before beginning the long trek to adulthood is spent with his reclusive dad hideaway tom in the wild freedom of south australias coorong. Peter obrien, who is preparing to play the reclusive widower hideaway in a new production developed by the sydney theatre company and perths barking gecko theatre company, says hes good with that. Sydney theatre company barking gecko theatre company. I taught this unit 2 years ago and it was very popular. For man facing an oncoming storm, john sheedy is looking remarkably calm. Canberra celebrates life and work of childrens author. The play follows storm boy as he roams the beautiful, savage landscape of wavebeaten shores and windswept dunes that is of south australias coorong. Playwright tom holloways version has a clear focus on younger audiences although thats not to say theres not plenty for adults to enjoy so it was a little difficult to gauge.
In his first season as the artistic director of barking gecko theatre company, sheedy wrote for the stage and directed the amber amulet adapted from the book by craig silvey, which premiered in 2011. The film adaptation storm boy won the jury and best film prizes at the 1977 afi awards. Directed by john sheedy from a commissioned adaptation by tom holloway, of the 1964 childrens novel by colin thiele. Storm boy is the 8th in a series of classic australian childrens fiction literature units. A sydney theatre company and barking gecko theatre company production storm boy by colin thiele adapted for the stage by tom holloway. Barking gecko theatre company is a wa professional theatre company setup in 1991 to encourage a love of the theatre by young people and their families. Storm boy illustrator robert ingpen on bringing colin. Storm boy, a joint production between barking gecko and the sydney theatre company, has returned for another season. Alongside barking gecko s theatre productions is the companys deep commitment to creative learning and social outreach. Director john sheedy said he felt a lot of pressure in bringing the classic australian childrens book storm boy to the stage, beloved as it was by generations. Adapted by tom holloway and directed by john sheedy, there is a lovely simplicity to every aspect of the. In the same year, sheedy directed a stage adaptation of. Inside, she finds piotr, a small boy who never stops talking, and elka, a greyhaired explorer who insists they keep the curtains closed tight. Forty years later a team from perths barking gecko company and sydney theatre company followed thiele and ingpen.
Storm boy, sydney theatre company and barking gecko theatre company at the wharf theatre, 14 august8 september, heath ledger theatre, state theatre centre of wa, 21 september5 october 20. Storm boy barking gecko and sydney theatre company. Brett boardman first published in 1963, storm boy gained a. Sheedy has had great success with stage adaptations of acclaimed australian books in his five years with barking gecko, most notably craig silveys jasper jones last year, colin thieles storm boy in 20 and tans the red tree in 2011.
Storm boy s evocation of a faraway windy beach and bittersweet message about growing up. The set evocative of a whale skeleton, cliff top, sand dune and wave is a beautiful canvas for this production, an earthy organic design by michael. The rabbits, written by john marsden and illustrated by shaun tan, was first published in australia by lothian books and this opera is produced by arrangement with hachette australia pty ltd. Storm boy roams the savage landscape, navigating the waters and searching for debris and wildlife. The book concentrates on the relationships he has with his father hideaway tom, the pelican, and an outcast aboriginal man called fingerbone. From individual and family giving to trusts and foundations and corporate partnerships, we welcome your support for barking gecko s endeavours, and. Bamberts book of lost stories barking gecko theatre. This sydney theatre company coproduction with perths barking gecko. Colin thieles book storm boy was published in 1964, and in 1976, its film version was released. The production follows storm boy as he roams the beautiful, savage landscape of south australias coorong in his last childhood summer before adulthood. Barking gecko theatre company presents duck, death and the tulip duration. Wharf 1 sydney theatre company walsh bay nsw, apr 24 may 17, 2015 playwright. A childhood favourite, storm boy is full of heart and soul.
Barking gecko theatre companys storm boy events offers. Posted on september 23, 20 in latest news the barking gecko theatre company and the sydney theatre company are bringing storm boy, the classic australian book by colin thiele, to the stage. Barking gecko theatre company and sydney theatre company come together to provide the perfect balance of fun, simplicity and beauty. I was a little despondent heading out to the state theatre on grand final night to see barking gecko s latest play storm boy. When barking gecko theatre and sydney theatre company s stage adaptation of colin thieles beloved 1964 novella storm boy premiered two years ago, it was in front of an audience made up mainly of adults from the theatre world. A sydney theatre company and barking gecko theatre company production storm boy by colin thiele adapted for the stage by tom holloway a return season for a cherished childhood favourite a runaway hit in 20, this collaboration with perths barking gecko theatre company is a vivid stage adaptation of colin thieles muchloved story. Barking gecko theatre offers a wide range of opportunities for students to engage with the theatre. Storm boy 36 june 2015 a cherished childhood favourite. Barking gecko has built a fine reputation greatly enhanced under john sheedy as its artistic director since 2010 as it made the ambitious transition from a childrens theatre company to one for young people of all ages. The tale of a boys friendship with a pelican is not an easy one to.
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