Best Kid-friendly Live Theatre in Melbourne

by Claire Halliday, ellas list

School holidays already? To plan your days away from the television and the lure of the online world, kid-friendly theatre shows help you keep it real by letting your children enjoy the wonders of storytelling on stage.

From impressively staged shows at Melbourne’s finest CBD theatres to more humble offerings in the playhouses and theatres of outer-suburbia, live theatre really is fun for all the family. Even when it’s not holiday time, there are often live theatre shows to see with the kids – with everything from pantomimes in the park to the local high school’s annual musical.

Showing kids another side to entertainment – one that is doesn’t involve a screen – is a nice way to set them up for a life-long love of performance.

 

1. Mr Stink

The book, by David Walliams was a worldwide best-seller.

This adaptation of this award-winning children’s book about Chloe, the world’s loneliest girl who befriends the neighbourhood hobo, Mr Stink, is just as touching, live on stage.

What You Need To Know

Phone: 1300 182 183

Address: The Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004

Season: Playing 1-9 April 2017
Prices: Tickets range from $26-$39

More information: visit the website – https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2017/families/mr-stink

 

The Mighty Little Puppet Show

Puppets are great at pushing boundaries and in this show, anything is possible. Behind the puppets, some of Melbourne’s finest comic talents add some cheeky life. This is interactive theatre, with detachable extremities and the creativity of your suggestions. Be nice! The audience involvement makes for a fresh and fun experience every time.

What You Need To Know

This is not for the little ones. The audience this show aims at is 13-plus. So take your teen for some unexpected laughs. It just might be the last puppet show they’ll see with you.

Address: The National Theatre, St Kilda as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Prices: Tickets range from $20 – $25
Season: two shows only – April 22, 6.30pm & Sunday April 23, 6.30pm
More information: visit the website – https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2017/shows/the-might-little-puppet-show

 

 

The NitWits Fractured Fairytales

FuntimeDisco.com, Kathryn Grey, Matthew Grey, Matt Grey,Fractured Fairy Tales,Fractured Fairytales

If your kids love creepy stuff and fart jokes, this will make them laugh.

The story of a magic first edition book that holds the souls of all fairytales within its pages, might be challenging for very young ones but for anyone game for some slightly frightening fun, this gives classic fairytales a fresh life. The adventure here is how to repair the damage caused when the book is burned – and all those favourite fairytales are gone. Matty and Teddie only have until sunrise to rewrite the entire book to stop the much-loved stories from being lost forever.

What You Need To Know

Address: Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston St, Melbourne
Season: 8 April-16 April 2017 as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Prices: Tickets range from $14 – $17

More information: visit the website – https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2017/shows/fractured-fairytales

 

The Princess and the Pea

More fairytale craziness when Vic Opera’s new family production hits the stage for the autumn school holidays. This contemporary version of The Princess and the Pea sees our hero transported to a modern day television studio, on the set of a hit show. And when she arrives for her first day of filming? Our quirky little “Princess” needs to prove herself to her famous colleagues. Expect lots of colour and incredible singing, plus a live orchestra. The lesson is a good one, too: don’t judge a book by its cover.

What You Need To Know

Phone: 1300 182 183
Address: The Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Season: One day only – 25 March 2017 11am, 2pm, 5pm
Prices: Tickets range from $25-$45

More information: visit the website – http://www.victorianopera.com.au/season-2017/the-princess-and-the-pea/

 

The Wolf and Peter

It’s a timeless tale of courage and now, just in time for the school holiday ‘to do’ list to be given a big fat tick, the CoisCéim Dance Theatre sparks young imaginations with a story that is sure to inspire. The story is told through the eyes of the wolf. Dance and live music and some energetic theatrical touches bring the adventures of a bird, a cat, a duck, a boy and, of course, a wolf, straight to your heart.

 

 

 

What You Need To Know

Phone: 1300 182 183
Address: The Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Season: 29 & 30 June 2017
Price: $17
More information: visit the website – https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2017/education/the-wolf-and-peter

 

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

 

 

 

When you eat too much, you definitely get a tummy ache. And so does this ravenous multi-legged creature that your children probably already know and love.

It’s one of the most famous and most-read children’s books of all time but this production brings it to vibrant life on stage – right before your eyes.

Eric Carle’s whimsical tale is delivered in an Australian-made show that features 75 colourful puppets created by the renowned New York Puppet Kitchen. Some characters you might recognise from the author’s other well-known works make an appearance too.

For new readers and first-time theatre-goers, it’s set to be a magical experience, from JWR Productions Australia and Michael Sieders Presents.

What You Need To Know

Address: National Theatre, St Kilda
Prices: Tickets range from $25

Season:
July 4 & 5 10am-12.30pm
July 6 10am
(Duration of show is 50 minutes)

More information: visit the website – http://www.nationaltheatre.org.au/hungry-caterpillar.html

 

 

Hansel & Gretel

It’s a creatively creepy way to teach children that age-old lesson about not taking tempting treats from strangers. There’s some suspense and adventure but it all ends happily ever after in the land of live school holiday theatre. Plus, the kids will love the children’s buffet served up for afternoon tea.

 

 

 

What You Need To Know

Phone: 5975 2027
Address: Beleura House and Garden, 1 Tallis Drive, Mornington
Season: 12 & 13 April 2017
Prices: $20 adults, $15 children

More information: visit the website – http://www.beleura.org.au/what-s-on.html

 

 

The Owl and the Pussycat

Edward Lear is the wordsmith behind this classic tale.
It started life as a nonsense poem and in this stage version the quirky characters come to life in a 45-minute performance, complete with songs to get everyone’s toes tapping.

 

 

 

What You Need To Know

Make sure your older kids have their own activities organised – this show is enjoyed best by the under-10 set.

Address: Gem Theatre, 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald
Season: one day only 2 April 2017 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm
Prices: $10 Adults, $5 Concession

More information: visit the website – http://www.pave.org.au/events/the-owl-the-pussycat/

 

 

Comedy Club for Kids

One of the popular shows on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival program, not many shows get the honour of coming back ten years in a row. This is one of them.

 

 

 

For punters between the ages of 6-12 years old, it’s a laugh-out-loud excursion parents will love too.

A dash of musical comedy, a pipkin of music, a sprinkle of circus and a generous dose of stand-up giggles. Leave the knock-knock jokes at the door and don’t blame the talent if your cheeks hurt from laughing.

What You Need To Know

Phone: 1300 660 013
Address: The Famous Spiegeltent at Arts Centre Melbourne
Season: Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 16
Prices: $20 (Groups of 4+ $16 per person)
Time: 12.30pm