The tradition of playing tricks on 1st April goes back hundreds of years, but the exact derivation is unknown. Theories are it came from Spring Rites, a shift to the Gregorian calendar, one of Chaucer's stories. There's also the French tradition of April Fish.
So, pinch and a punch for first
Bell Shakespeare is presenting school matinees of Julius Caesar at Arts Centre Melbourne on 26 April & 6 May at 2pm.
The last schools matinee in Sydney at the Opera House, is on tomorrow at 11 am.
Most states incorporate Easter into the Term 1 break, but not all! Whichever one applies to you, enjoy this short week.
Many will be at school near ANZAC day - make the most of Australian History expert and musician, Jan Wositzky's Cannakale. Gallipoli. Lest We Forget. Incursion Yrs 3-12. Vic and S
Black Swan is continuing their excellent productions appropriate to schools. The wonderful RBG: Of Many. One is on now (image above) and finishes next Saturday 4 April.
There are two more shows in Term 2 including a reimagining of Tim Winton's story, The Shepherd's Hu
An ancient Artform, marionettes, black light, modern developments, such as Sesame Street type puppets, all resonate with audiences as they have for hundreds of years.
Puppets can say and do what people often can't. Students empathise with them. You forget they're puppets.
Queensland based, Mashed Theatre & Films are an incursion company touring shows for secondary students in Queensland, ACT, NSW, SA, Tasmania and Victoria.
See all 8 of their 2026 productions here.
Image: Othello, Yrs 11-12, incursion
Seymour Centre has the perfect event for you.
See Michelle Law in conversation about her smash hit play Single Asian Female, which was recently added to the Stage 6 Drama Course Prescriptions for Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice. Details.
Victoria's well-established Complete Works Theatre Company offers some classic plays and Australian Poetry both live and online as well as Literature workshops and live only plays. Check them all out here.
Image: Romeo & Juliet - online and live touring Vic only
A few more days of Naplan testing to go. All are finished on Monday 23rd, then back to real life.
For all the Catholics and St Pat's Day Catholics - enjoy. Hope you find a four-leaf clover.
Good luck to you and sláinte! (health in Irish)
Tiny Dog's production of the highly acclaimed play by British playwright Duncan MacMillan, Monster finishes next Saturday, 21 March. Compelling and provocative, it confronts the reach of empathy and the weight of moral responsibility around the violence of boys and men. Playing at KXT on Broadway.
"Beware the Ides of March" a famous quote from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. We take it as foreshadowing something bad.
Winni The Wacky Wizard passes the good show test - not only students, but parents and teachers love it too. It can easily add to several curriculum areas.
Details here
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Image: The Troppo Troupe, incursions for students of Italian, Drama, English and History brilliantly using the theatrical tradition of Commedia dell'Arte. Three diff