Australian author’s magical tale comes to life
Alison Lester AM’s much-loved children’s book Magic Beach comes to life on Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse stage in a wonderful world of text, song, light, shadow and movement from 24 – 28 November 2021.
This new Australian adaptation from multi-award winning playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer is a celebration of the power of the imagination and the differences that make every child uniquely special. It is brought to stage by prolific Australian children’s theatremakers CDP Kids, the team behind The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- and 91-Storey Treehousesand David Walliams’ The Midnight Gang among other beloved productions.
Magic Beach is the story of an everyday family who go on a beach holiday every year. It isn’t just any beach– it’s Magic Beach, where everything you can imagine becomes real. But this year is different. As the eldest child begins to grow up, does she have to leave the magic behind?
Playing the eldest child Sally is Kate Betcher, whose television and screen credits include Home and Away, The Other Guy (Stan), Ladies In Black (dir. Bruce Beresford) and In Like Flynn (dir. Russell Mulcahy). Alex Packard (Monkey Baa’s Possum Magic, Sydney Festival Alice In Wonderland) plays sweet and sensitive Danny and Jade Fuda (Blue Whale Theatre’s A Bright Light In The Darkness, Fingerless Theatre’s Just Short Break on a Hafgufa, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest) plays exuberant Lucy, the youngest of the siblings.
Alison Lester has been delighting younger readers – and their parents – for more than 30 years with her beautiful illustrated children’s picture books and Magic Beach is the first to be adapted for stage. Lester was the Children’s Laureate from 2011 – 2013 and was one of the 5 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature that Australia Post featured on a stamp.
CDP Kids Director, Yolande White Said:
Alison Lester’s gorgeous book, Magic Beach, is a celebration of imagination that we knew would be the perfect for the stage. We are so thrilled that this story that has been loved by generations will come to life at Arts Centre Melbourne.
Together With You:
We’re excited to continue to welcome visitors back to Arts Centre Melbourne safely in 2021, in line with Victorian Government guidelines on COVID-19. Engaging online experiences are also available via our digital hub.
Season Details
Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne| Playhouse
Date: 24 – 28 November 2021
For more information click on HERE
