"Absolutely outstanding!... captivated from start to finish... brought the characters to life in a truly mesmerising way... A truly unforgettable experience that left us all inspired & delighted! Bravo!"Lightning Ridge Central School, NSW for 2023's live show
"The most amazing show! We had the best time... I just loved the puppetry and all the clever props. You could definitely tell you were a teacher...(by) the way you got the kids involved. I got so much positive feedback"Redeemer Lutheran College, Rochedale, QLD for 2023's live show
CBCA Short-listed 2024 Picture Book of the Year
Live on stage
Based on the CBCA 2024 Short-listed Picture Book of the Year "That Bird Has Arms!"
- Written by Kate Temple & Jol Temple
- Illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh & Niharika Hukku
- Published by Little Hare Books
- Adapted for the live stage & performed by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed
- Music by Tony & Matt Brown Dip.Ed
- Technical Design by Tony & Zac Krause
- Props, Costumes & Sets by Tony & Marni Appleby
This brand new 40-minute LIVE stage performance brings another award-nominated new Australian picture book TO LIFE!!
It is created & performed by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed, a qualified & practising drama, dance & English teacher with over 25 years of professional school teaching & performing experience in children's theatre & theatre in education.
Tony has been adapting & performing CBCA short-listed & notable-listed books across Australia for Book Week since 2000 & this is his 39th Australian book adapted to the stage.
(NOTE: Our virtual version of this show is touring all Australian states & territories, plus all of New Zealand also)
Curriculum Areas:
- The Arts (Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts);
- Critical & Creative Thinking;
- Ethical Capability;
- Personal and Social Capability;
- English;
- Technologies (Design & Technologies + Digital Technologies)
Capabilities:
- Literacy;
- Critical & Creative Thinking.
- Ethical;
- Intercultural;
- Personal and Social.
Topics & Themes:
- Identity;
- Bullying;
- Social Media
- Birds;
- Individual differences & individuality;
- Popularity & talent contests;
- Resilience.
About the book:
Roy is an ordinary bird in every way. He is not the biggest, or the smallest. His squawk is not the loudest or the quietest. He even follows the same football team as everyone else. He was very normal except for one thing – he has ARMS.
Absolutely nobody knows – and Roy would like to keep it that way...That Bird Has Arms is a story about difference and identity. It’s about learning to see that what sets you apart is what makes you strong, and it’s about pride in your own uniqueness.
"This quirky story oozes originality. It embraces popular culture, such as social media and popularity contests and cleverly explores themes of identity and accepting difference through the main character, Roy, a bird with human-like arms. The use of language is sophisticated and engaging, featuring direct speech of the avian characters alongside more traditional narration. The high-quality, colourful and engaging illustrations represent characters effectively and provide a clever sub-text to the narrative, including gentle humour appropriate for a dual audience. There is pleasing symmetry between the text and visual elements that embodies the mood and enhances the narrative. The plot that follows Roy coming to terms with his difference, as well as others’ eventual acceptance of him includes a joy-filled resolution." CBCA Critique of the 2024 notable listed books by the panel of 2024 CBCA expert judges.
About the show:
The live show will bring the book to life!!!
It includes:
- Drama: a variety of performance styles within the show: Melodrama, Pantomime, Musical Theatre, Physical Theatre, Mime, Puppetry, Game show, Improvisation, Slow-mo, etc.
- Dance: a variety of dance styles within the show: Jazz, contemporary, Hip Hop, etc.
- Music: a variety of music styles in the show: Reggae, Rock, various Latin Music styles, Lounge Music, Music Theatre, Rap, Hip Hop, etc;
- Puppetry: a variety of puppetry styles in the show: Shadow puppetry, Hand puppetry, Board puppetry;
- Mask: Whole face masks, headpieces, etc;
- Painted sets & props: 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 freestanding 100" rear 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 & headset microphones: powered EV pro speakers, the DPA D-fine radio headset microphone & the Shure GLX 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 join 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 20 years of 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. A 20-minute FAQ video is also available to all staff & students after the show if more questions arise;
- Lesson plans for teachers: Custom-created follow-up activities, discussion points & lesson plans are provided for all year levels.
- Public Liability Cover of $30,000,000 & Professional Indemnity Insurance of $10,000,000.
"All positive both from staff & students... wonderful performance & professionalism... Great for all year levels... Very interactive, fast-paced... kept everyone interested... High levels of engagement from whole school... loved the performance"Thornhill Park PS, VIC for 2023's live show
"It was fabulous - the kids had an absolute ball and LOVED it! I loved how you chose heaps of volunteers from the audience... it kept the students engaged right the way through. The puppets and projections were also AMAZING!"Kilberry Valley PS, Hampton Park, VIC for 2023's live show
"We absolutely loved your show... I am in awe at anyone who can keep children aged from 4 to 13 captivated, engaged and on the edge of their seats for a full hour and you managed to achieve this. The children were mesmerised"Kinross Wolaroi School, Orange, NSW for 2023's live show
"Fabulous. Your ability to engage all students (&) keep them fully entertained... is just fantastic... Funny, engaging & very informative... captivated by your innovative, engaging performance... You are indeed a very gifted and talented storyteller"St Mary's PS, Lancefield, VIC for 2023's live show
BOOKINGS
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