Skip to main content

Article: James and the Giant Peach // QPAC & Shake and Stir Theatre Co

James and the Giant Peach

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Shake & Stir Theatre Co have announced tickets are on sale for the world premiere season of the stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved James and the Giant Peach in the Playhouse from 30 March to 7 April.

This season furthers Shake & Stir’s penchant for reinventing Dahl classics for the theatre, following smash-hit seasons of The Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox and George’s Marvellous Medicine at QPAC. 
 
Written in 1961, the children’s novel has since become a twentieth century classic, selling millions of copies worldwide, along with an Academy Award-nominated film adaptation. 
 
James and the Giant Peach follows James Henry Trotter, a lonely seven-year-old boy, who after losing his parents in a horrible rhinoceros accident, is forced to live with his two wicked aunts. 
 
What follows is magic, mischief and mayhem at every turn, as James discovers the best friendships arise from the most unexpected encounters, and that a little courage can take you a long way. 
 
Adapted by Nelle Lee and directed by Ross Balbuziente, Dahl’s fanciful world, scheming characters and distinct ridiculousness will come alive with puppetry, poetry, song and dance, all enhanced with stunningly realised illustrations.

Shake & Stir Co-Artistic Director Ross Balbuziente said this was the fifth Roald Dahl adaptation he had the privilege to direct.

“I could not be more excited – it is one of Dahl’s most delightful books and the story has the trademark wit and naughty deliciousness readers have come to expect from Dahl,” Mr Balbuziente said. 
 
“It’s a wild adventure of epic proportions, but at its core, it’s a story of resilience and the importance of being nice to one another and when friends work together, anything can be accomplished.
 
“It’s a passion for us at Shake & Stir Theatre Co to use Dahl’s stories as inspiration for reimagined theatre works for audiences of every age to enjoy, we encourage everyone to embrace the power of imagination.”

Audiences of all ages are invited to join James and his collection of curious critters on an enchanting, great escape direct from his backyard, soaring high across the world from Dover to New York and back again. 
 
Tickets are on sale now at qpac.com.au or 136 246.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Dogfight - Spotlight Theatrical Company

Written by Jake Goodall Get ready for a night of vocal excellence in Spotlight Theatrical Company's latest production of Dogfight! Located in the central Gold Coast, their latest production is sure to shock and delight all theatre lovers. It's 1963, and a group of young marines have gathered in San Fransisco the night before they ship off to Vietnam. They decide to celebrate their last night of freedom with a cruel game they call a “dogfight” where every man sets out to find the ugliest girl he can and brings her to a party. Everyone puts in money, and the man with the ugliest date wins the pot.  This harrowing and horrific story showcases the toxic masculinity of the US Marines in the 60s but also provides an insight into PTSD and the terrors of war. One uplifting event in this musical is that it isn't about women changing themselves for men, it is about the power of becoming confident in oneself and not bowing to a man's wishes just because he says so which is the tro...

Review: Freshblood Festival - Vena Cava

Written By Thor Morrison Upcoming creatives need a place to experiment, to prosper, to explore, and even to sometimes miss the mark. It is essential that spaces that allow this to happen exist, especially in a world obsessed with perfectionism. The Freshblood Festival is an annual event run by QUT Student Theatre Company Vena Cava, focused on young writers and performers, and it does just that. It provides a space for the new and upcoming creatives of Brisbane and surrounds to experiment, have fun, and create really exciting performances. Held at BackDock Arts in Fortitude Valley, and running over two consecutive weekends, it is a massive endeavour Vena Cava have given themselves. 14 independent shows, two play readings, and 8 music acts ensure that Freshblood has something for everyone to enjoy, and shows the variety and scale of the Festival itself. Drama Dispatch was able to attend most of the second weekend, seeing a total of seven shows and a play reading, and was greatly impresse...

'The Bed Party' // PIP Theatre

  Take a trip down memory lane to the days of sharing a house and engaging in heartfelt conversations in the comfort of a bedroom. Sophia Davidson Gluyas’ latest creation, The Bed Party, elevates this sentiment to new heights at Pip Theatre in Brisbane. In this captivating production, five feminist comrades embark on an adventurous journey during one eventful weekend, shedding light on the profound political underpinnings of personal interactions. As the evening unfolds, Jasmine and Finn, after a long and eventful Saturday night, discover their bed is destined for unexpected activity. Their housemate, Tara, Jasmine’s best friend and former flame, seeks solace after a stressful evening. Ex-housemate Bri, still possessing a spare key, seeks shelter after leaving her partner, while the current housemate, George, joins them, bubbling with enthusiasm following a promising first date. This all-female ensemble masterfully brings to life a touching lesbian dramedy, offering an evening of l...