Available Term 3, 2018 & Term 1 & 2, 2019.

WINNER!!! 2018 CBCA Short Listed Picture Book of the Year

A WALK IN THE BUSH

Written & Illustrated by Gwyn Perkins
Published by Affirm Press
Adapted for the stage & performed by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed
Music by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed & Adrian Portell
Technical Design by Peter Amesbury

What do schools think of our shows? St Joseph's PS, Springvale, VIC

About the book:

Little Iggy doesn’t want to leave the house, but Grandad insists – they always have fun together.

What follows is a wonderful journey in the great Australian outdoors with singing birds, wallaby surprises, secret caterpillar messages and oodles of grandad humour.

Here is a story about the wonders of nature, the funny side of life and spending time with the ones we love.

From an original and exciting new talent comes A Walk in the Bush, proudly the first picture book from Affirm Press.

BOOKINGS
To make a booking or enquiry, simply press the GREEN Enquiry/Booking Request Button above right to directly contact the booking team. They will answer you promptly to discuss your booking including when payment will be required.

Shows for Schools not only gathers all the great available shows, it also makes booking easier!

About the show:

Curriculum Areas:

• The Arts (Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts);
• English;
• Science;
• Humanities and Social Sciences.

Learning Areas:

• Literacy;
• ICT Capability;
• Critical & Creative Thinking;
• Personal and Social Capability;
• Ethical Understanding;
• Intercultural Understanding.

Topics & Themes:

1. The Environment & Nature (Australian Flora & Fauna, Sustainability, Conservation);
2. Relationships (Family, Pets);
3. Healthy Living (Hobbies, Exercise - Bushwalking).

Suitable for:

• Foundation (Prep, Reception) to Grade 6.

This brand new 40 minute stage performance brings the new Australian picture book TO LIFE!! It is created & performed by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed, a qualified drama & dance teacher with over 20 years of professional school teaching & performing experience in children's theatre & theatre in education. Tony has been adapting & performing CBCA shortlisted books across Australia for Book Week since 2000 & this is his 33rd Australian book adapted to the stage.

After the sell-out Book Week season the show is now touring NSW, ACT & VIC in this return tour!!!

The stage show includes:

• Drama - a variety of performance styles within the show: Melodrama, Pantomime, Musical Theatre, Physical Theatre, Mime, Puppetry, Game show, Improvisation, etc.
• Dance - a variety of dance styles within the show: Jazz, contemporary, Hip Hop, etc.
• Music - a variety of music styles in the show: Pop, Hip Hop, RnB, Rap, Rock, Folk, etc;
• Puppetry - a variety of puppetry styles in the show: Shadow puppetry, Hand puppetry, Marionette / String puppetry, Board puppetry.
• Mask - Whole face masks, part face masks, noses, animals etc.
• Painted sets - Painted on fabric, plywood, cardboard & paper.
• Digital projections - 2 x 16:9 digital projectors cast images of the book, digital images of sets, animations, explosions & lighting displays onto large 65" projection screens on either side of the stage creating an incredible viewing experience for the students. They are also used for shadow puppetry in the show.
• Raised staging - 45cm high staging 2m wide x 1m deep ensure everyone, even in very large groups can see all of the action;
• DMX coloured stage lighting - the very latest DMX coloured stage lighting is used throughout the show to create intense & dynamic atmosphere throughout the performance.
• Professional sound system - powered EV pro speakers & the pro Shure radio headset microphone & bodypack are used to ensure crystal clear sound for even the very largest halls;
• Audience participation - Students are used throughout the show to both participate in the audience (responding, singing or dancing along, creating scenes in the audience) & also joining in on stage to operate puppets, dress in costume to become characters, create sets & props during the show, be part of improvised scenes or be contestants in a game show;
• Full Q&A session - after the show a full Question & Answer session takes place led by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed, a qualified teacher with over 16 years experience running these sessions. Tony discusses in depth why he made certain decisions when creating the show (e.g. adding scenes or slightly changing them from the book, sets used, etc), and shows students how the props, sets, puppets, costumes, projections & sound were created for the show, as well as discussing the writing of the script & composing of the songs & music;
• Lesson plans for teachers - Follow up activities are provided for all year levels.

Reviews for the book:

• Kids Book Review -
  Quote:

  ...this gem... is pure delight... a magical journey through the bush, introducing... a glorious array of wildlife... illustrations of the Australian bush and wildlife that are richly detailed, luscious and vibrant
• Booktopia Reviews -
  Quote:

  ...they loved it... Gwyn's iconic illustrations are fresh and evocative. It is wonderful to see Australian books portraying our landscape, flora and fauna. Highly recommended!
• Books + Publishing -
  Quote:

  ...Gwyn Perkins’ paean to the beauty of the bush is both calming and celebratory
• Better Reading -
  Quote:

  Beautifully illustrated, about love, nature, and family
• Readings -
  Quote:

  I’m thoroughly enchanted by the gentle humour and keen observation of the natural world... This book is as refreshing, comforting and stimulating as a weekend bushwalk
• Tim's Bookshop -
  Quote:

  A delightful, funny picture book with some truly wonderful illustrations of our very unique and beautiful bush
• Boomerang Books -
  Quote:

  I love the ironically oblivious know-it-all... an interesting yet remarkably witty bushwalk through nature whilst appreciating the ones we love... a fun, and funny, way to encourage togetherness and appreciate the enchanting facets of the Australian outdoors
• School Essentials -
  Quote:

  A meditative journey in the great Australian outdoors with singing birds, wallaby surprises, secret caterpillar messages and oodles of grandad humour
• Hip Little One -
  Quote:

  Gwyn Perkins has done an awesome job capturing some of Australia’s most wonderful wildlife in his very first picture book... Words can not describe how delightful Gwyn’s illustrations are, they are detailed and fun, friendly and warm and really speak to young readers... This gorgeous picture book is an absolute treat for little Aussies
• In The Good Books
  Quote:

  ...a delightful tale that is set in the bushland

Reviews for the play:

"Hi Tony, I (was) commenting how interactive the performance was. You read the audience well and it is so energy driven. All the audience were engaged which is testament to your efforts." Geraldine Woolnough, CBCA Victoria from the CBCA 2019 Book Week Family Day.

[*]"I only have positive feedback for the show. I loved it and so did everyone that I spoke to. The kids were engaged, the teachers were hooked in and my principal was very pleased. You did an excellent job bringing that book to life and I know it helped a lot of the kids understand the story a little more deeply." Maria Lontos, Holy Name PS, Reservoir, VIC.

[*]"Loved the show... I’d been really looking forward to it and wasn’t disappointed. It was amazing to see how much could be achieved in a one man show (I kept looking around for Tony’s support team). The puppetry was great, the songs were catchy and clever, and the performance was engaging... Great show... As you would’ve guessed from my response last week...I LOVED THE ONE MAN SHOW! The incursion was engaging on various levels." Andy Pullar & Mary Katsigiannis, Camelot Rise PS, Glen Waverley, VIC

[*]"Your performance was fantastic... You were incredibly engaging, entertaining and informative, I loved how you kept the kids wanting more through your use of engaging techniques. It was lovely to watch students... respond with delight... Older students often feel that picture books are not for them, but providing such an extensive performance based on predominantly pictures is a fantastic way to engage students in literature at all levels.... I have spoken to a number of friends at other schools already and have recommended you as a wonderful way to enhance book week (or any week!). The feedback from the students and staff alike has been nothing but glowing. Thank you for sharing your passion for books with us." Marnie Skerritt, Mathoura Public School, NSW

[*]"I think your performance was fantastic. Looking around the room, all the children were engaged in the performance, including our grade 6s, which was great to see. Having so many children involved in the performance itself was fantastic too... You could see the excitement on their faces when they were chosen and became a part of the show and they all did a great job... Very entertaining for adults too!" Karen Nihill, Sacred Heart Primary School, Tatura, NSW

[*]"School still buzzing after the show. Enjoyed by all... We've never had a student so moved by the song about being lonely it reduced him to tears... Several very experienced teachers... commented on how brilliant it was. K-6 is a wide range yet the performance and organisation lent itself to catering for all age groups... Fabulous performance all round." Leanne Sharpe , Teacher Librarian, Enfield Public School, NSW.