"We absolutely LOVED the show, brilliant as per usual! Well done on your hard work to make it happen. We would love to book again for next year"Scone GS, NSW for 2025's live show
"Thank you sooooo much, Tony. Loved every minute of the show... and the positive creative energy you bring."Redeemer Lutheran College, Rochedale, QLD for 2025's live show
Based on the CBCA Notable-listed 2026 Picture Book of the Year...
The Short-listed CBCA Award for New Illustrator 2026...
& the ABDA Longlisted Best Designed Children's Picture Book 2026
"Being Indy"
Live on stage
- Written by Zoe Gaetjens
- Illustrated by Estee Sarsfield
- Published by WestWords Children's
- Adapted for the live stage & performed by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed
- Music by Tony & Matt Brown Dip.Ed
- Technical Design by Tony
- 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 almost 30 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 the year 2000 & this is his 23rd Australian picture book adapted to the stage.
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:
- Belonging
- Inclusion
- Activism
- Speaking Up
- Community
- Individuality
- Sharing
- Childhood Identity
- Respect for Persons
- Acceptance
- Difference
- Fitting in
- Valuing your True Worth.
About the book:
There was no finer place to live than on the Mountain. Folks came from everywhere wanting to live there – including Indy. But the mountain was ruled by Percival, and he had rules. He didn’t let just anyone in.
"Indy lives on the Mountain. It’s where everyone wants to live, and they come from everywhere to do so. Except, it also has rules and is led by Percival, who wants everyone to follow his rules. Everything has to be black and white. Everyone has to fit in and look the same to keep everyone safe, or so Percival says. So Indy sets about finding a way to fit in. Until…a colourful bird and the rain emerge, and change everything. Can everyone be brave enough to stand up to Percival?...A touching story and fable about how we include people, and what fear can do to people." The Book Muse
This is a story of trying to fit in and discovering the true worth of being yourself. A tale of courage, kindness, and finding your place in a world that says you don’t belong.
Set in Estee Sarsfield’s bold and surprising world of playgrounds, big hair and defiant colour, Zoe Gaetjens’ insightful and heartfelt text follows Indy’s journey to independence.
Why this book?
• "Challenges ideas of exclusion and “rules” about who belongs, with a gentle resolution that celebrates diversity.
• Percival’s mountain becomes a metaphor for real-world prejudice and acceptance, told in a way kids can easily grasp.
• Indy shows courage and creativity as she disguises herself, then finds strength in her true identity.
• Percival transforms from gatekeeper to participant, modelling change and growth.
• Estee Sarsfield’s gouache, wax pastel, and pencil illustrations layer texture and colour, perfectly balancing whimsy and emotional depth.
• Crows, rain, and the bright bird carry symbolic weight, giving children extra layers to interpret through pictures."
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.
"A wonderful Book Week performance... It had all the elements we look for, and your use of all different forms of multimedia was impressive!!! Constant engagement of the students with their participation and movement kept everyone focused."St Joseph the Worker PS, Reservoir, VIC for 2025's live show
"What a treat today! The incredible Tony Bones, Books to Life performer, brought the book General Waste to life in the most interactive and entertaining way! Through energetic storytelling, clever characters, and laugh-out-loud moments"Toronto PS, NSW for 2025's live show
"The 'Books to Life' show delighted students with its vibrant performance, incorporating song, dance, puppets, and extensive props. Both entertaining and educational... an excellent performance"Medowie PS, NSW for 2025's live show
"Our Junior School giggled, gasped, and joined in yesterday as "General Waste leapt off the page and onto the stage thanks to the talented crew from Books To Life... such an interactive, memorable performance for our students!"Hunter Valley GS, NSW for 2025's live show
BOOKINGS
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