Australian Shakespeare Company

WIND IN THE WILLOWS, The Australian Shakespeare Company

| Kidding Around Australia
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WIND IN THE WILLOWS IS STILL TOADALLY OUR FAVOURITE!

It’s been two years of us telling anyone who will listen about how fantastic Wind In The Willows is! If you have the chance to join Mr. Toad, Ratty, Weasel, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly and the Head Chief Rabbit in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne to watch them bring to life Kenneth Grahame’s famous tale about life on the riverbank, then please do it!

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Now in it’s 31st year, Wind in the Willows begins with the Head Chief Rabbit turning everyone into rabbits with a waggle of the ears, a wiggle of the nose and some whispering willows!
As ‘rabbits’ you are encouraged to get involved and become part of the adventure by singing out loud, running through the gardens and laughing at all the crazy antics!

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GEORGINA SAYS

DON’T FORGET TO PACK A PICNIC FULL OF YUMMY GOODIES, A RUG TO SIT ON, A HAT, INSECT REPELLENT AND SOME SUNSCREEN. THE PRODUCTION MOVES LOCATION HALF WAY THROUGH SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO FOLD UP YOUR PICNIC RUG, GRAB YOUR STUFF AND GO FOR A LITTLE STROLL TO THE NEXT SET.

We LOVE this show if you haven’t already picked up on it! Our top tip is to make sure you send the kids off with the cast and stay behind for some adult jokes and fun! We laugh until our cheeks hurt! This is interactive theatre at it’s best and you and your family will be talking about it, singing the songs and counting down the days until next year!

So, HOP TO IT, the season finishes soon so book your tickets and don’t forget to get a photo with the cast after the show!

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MORE INFORMATION

WHERE: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Enter via Gate F on Birdwood Avenue

BOOKINGS:www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au or call 8676 7511

Tickets are available at the on-site box office unless sold out, box office opens one hour prior to each performance.

www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.

Alice in Wonderland – The Australian Shakespeare Company

| Kidding Around Australia

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As you know, we really enjoy the Australian Shakespeare Company‘s productions. We think they are a great way to introduce children to the world of live theatre! We had never seen the Australian Shakespeare Company’s version of Alice in wonderland (based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll’s classic story) so we knew we had to change that!

We grabbed our picnic blanket, our chairs and a picnic and headed off to Rippon Lea Estate (the gardens are amazing to explore after the show) and joined Alice as she follows the White Rabbit into the fun and magical world of Wonderland.

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Of course, the production is funny and there’s plenty of audience participation. We would expect nothing less of an Australian Shakespeare Company’s production! You can expect to see a hoard of little caterpillars are encouraged to crawl away as fast as they can before the Queen shouts “off with their heads” and they are all cheered on by a large deck of playing cards!

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Top Tip: Don’t put your kids in clothes that you don’t want grass stains on the knees!

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All of your favourite characters are there! Alice dances with the Dodo, is surprised by the Cheshire Cat, sings with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, talks with a Caterpillar, sneezes with the Duchess, has tea with the Mad Hatter and keeps her head from the Queen of Hearts.

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Photography during the performance is not allowed, but there are plenty of photo opportunities after the show.

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Alice in Wonderland is a fun, fast-paced journey into fantasy and the kids will love it!

MORE INFORMATION

9 – 28 January, 2018
Tues – Sun, 11am and Thurs and Fri, 6pm
Tickets: $25 (children under 12 months free), $90 Family (4 people). $20 and $80 Family Early Bird Tickets available till 11 December
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/alice-in-wonderland/
Venue: Ripponlea House and Gardens – 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick (entry via main gate on Hotham St)
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies – Australian Shakespeare Company

| Kidding Around Australia

If you have been thinking about introducing your little ones to live theatre, then Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies by the Australian Shakespeare Company is the perfect introduction.

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Returning from a sell-out season in London, the Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies musical is being performed in Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre 2, and Geelong’s Botanic Gardens.

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The show has been moved indoors for the Melbourne season (the Melbourne weather was too unpredictable to ensure the comfort of your littlest theatre fans), which is great for children aged between 3 – 8 as they join Tinkerbell and her friends the Dream Fairies, from a Midsummer Night’s Dream, as she searches for her wings.

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Together with Tinkerbell, the cheeky Mustardseed (who entices the most laughter from young and old), fluttery Moth, daring Cobweb, sweet Peasblossom create a flurry of fun and encourage all of the little fairies and elves to help them as they sing, dance and do some pretty impressive acrobatics before heading off on a special adventure to ‘Bubble Land’.

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Photography is prohibited during the performance, however if you remember to bring your camera you can get a photo with the cast after the show!

Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies

MORE INFORMATION

MELBOURNE SEASON
2 – 27 January, 2018
Tues 11am, Wed – Sat, 11am and 2pm
Tickets: $20 each (children under 12 months free), $80 Family (4 people)
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/tinkerbell-and-the-dream-fairies or via TICKETEK
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre 2 – 188 Collins Street, Melbourne.
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

GEELONG SEASON
29 December 2017
11am and 2pm
Tickets: $20 each (children under 12 months free), $80 Family (4 people)
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/tinkerbell-and-the-dream-fairies/ or via TICKETEK
Venue: Geelong Botanic Gardens
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.

Giveaway – Australian Shakespeare Company! Win tickets to Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland or Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies in Melbourne

| Kidding Around Australia

We have teamed up with the Australian Shakespeare Company to give 3 lucky families tickets to go and see Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland or Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies in Melbourne.

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We absolutely LOVE these shows, so much so, that they have become a tradition for the Kidding Around Australia family!

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I can’t tell you how much we LOVE the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Wind in the Willows! This is a must do for the school holidays! For over 90 minutes, you will be entertained by all of the classic characters – Mr. Toad, Ratty, Weasel, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly, Polly and the Head Chief Rabbit at the Royal Botanic Gardens as you watch them bring to life Kenneth Grahame’s famous tale about life on the riverbank.  The children (and let’s face it, most parents) are transformed into rabbits by the Head Chief Rabbit with a waggle of the ears and a wiggle of the nose and have a wonderful outdoor adventure!

If you would like to see what we thought or our top tips for the show, then click HERE and HERE!

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Alice in Wonderland comes to life in the beautiful surrounds of Rippon Lea House and Gardens this Summer holidays, and all the crazy characters will be there! You can join Alice as she goes down the rabbit hole and follows the White Rabbit into the entertaining
and magical world of Wonderland. She’ll get taller and smaller, dance with the Dodo, talk with a Caterpillar, sneeze with the Duchess, have tea with the Mad Hatter, and keep her head from the Queen of Hearts.

This captivating promenade-style children’s production will keep your whole family enthralled and delighted. With acrobatics, singing, dancing, and riddles and rhymes, there’s lots of fun participation for the kids. Even the adults have to turn into cards and march behind the Queen of Hearts – or it’s off with their heads!

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Children aged between 3-8 will love to follow Tinkerbell and her friends the Dream Fairies, from a Midsummer Night’s Dream, as she searches for her wings at the Athenaeum Theatre 2, in Melbourne’s CBD.

Together with Tinkerbell, the cheeky Mustardseed (who entices the most laughter from the young audience), fluttery Moth, daring Cobweb, sweet Peasblossom and little Dewdropcreate a flurry of fun and encourage all of the little fairies and elves to help them as they sing, dance and do some pretty impressive acrobatics before heading off on a special adventure to ‘Bubble Land’.

If you would like to see what we thought or our top tips for the show, then click HERE!

GIVEAWAY

We are giving away a family pass (2A+2C) to each show! Please make sure you are able to attend on the date listed below:

Wind in the Willows – Friday 29 December, 6pm. Online info here: http://www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/willows/

Alice in Wonderland – Sunday 14 January, 11am. Online info here: http://www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/alice-in-wonderland/

Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies – Tuesday 9 January, 11am. Online info here: http://www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/tinkerbell-and-the-dream-fairies/

SO WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO NOW?

FIRSTLY, MAKE SURE YOU LIKE AND FOLLOW KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THAT WE DO!

TO ENTER:

1 ✅ Enter your details in the form below and tell us which show you would like to see!

2 ✅ Enter also on Facebook and Instagram for bonus entries.

Competition ends 26 December, 2017 (8pm AEST). The winner will be chosen by random draw and announced on this post.

(IF YOU CAN’T SEE THE FORM, IT MAY BE THAT IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY YOUR EMAIL SO CLICK ON THE WEBSITE!)

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

MORE INFORMATION

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

MELBOURNE SEASON:
22 December, 2017 – 28 January, 2018
Tues – Sun, 10am and 6pm (times vary – please see booking link for full details)
Tickets: $25 – $110 (please see booking link for full details)
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/willows/
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne – F Gate (enter via F Gate, near the Shrine of
Remembrance: Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra)
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

SYDNEY SEASON:
5 – 28 January, 2018
Tues – Sun, 10:30am and 6pm (times vary – please see booking link for full details)
Tickets: $25 – $110 (please see booking link for full details)
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/willows/
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney (enter the gardens through any gate and make your way to the Harbour side of the Main Pond)
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

9 – 28 January, 2018
Tues – Sun, 11am and Thurs and Fri, 6pm
Tickets: $25 (children under 12 months free), $90 Family (4 people). $20 and $80 Family
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/alice-in-wonderland/
Venue: Ripponlea House and Gardens – 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick (entry via main gate on Hotham St)
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

TINKERBELL AND THE DREAM FAIRIES

MELBOURNE SEASON
2 – 28 January, 2018
Tues 11am, Wed – Sat, 11am and 2pm
Tickets: $20 each (children under 12 months free), $80 Family (4 people), $15.90/$55.90
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/tinkerbell-and- the-dream- fairies/
or via TICKETEK
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre 2 – 188 Collins Street, Melbourne.
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

GEELONG SEASON
29 December 2017
11am and 2pm
Tickets: $20 each (children under 12 months free), $80 Family (4 people), $15.90/$55.90
Bookings: 03 8676 7511 and online at
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/productions/tinkerbell-and- the-dream- fairies/
or via TICKETEK
Venue: Geelong Botanic Gardens
www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

#ShakespeareAustralia #ASCWillows #ASCAlice #ASCFairies #DreamFairies

Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies by the Australian Shakespeare Company

| Kidding Around Australia

We were excited to be invited to Fairyland at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne for the production of Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies by the Australian Shakespeare Company.

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The show has been tweaked since last year and having just finished a sell out season in London’s Kew Gardens it’s fan-fairy-tastic!

Children aged between 3-6 (potentially up to 8) will love to follow Tinkerbell and her friends the Dream Fairies, from a Midsummer Night’s Dream, as she searches for her wings.

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Together with Tinkerbell, the cheeky Mustardseed (who entices the most laughter from the young audience), fluttery Moth, daring Cobweb, sweet Peasblossom and little Dewdrop create a flurry of fun and encourage all of the little fairies and elves to help them as they sing, dance and do some pretty impressive acrobatics before heading off on a special adventure to ‘Bubble Land’.

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Georgina Says

Don’t forget to pack a picnic full of yummy goodies, a rug to sit on, a hat, insect repellent and some sunscreen. You will find the fairies under the trees on Oak Lawn, three skips, a jump and a flutter from the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden – which is the perfect spot to have a play after the performance.

Photography is prohibited during the performance, however if you remember to bring your camera you can get a photo with the cast after the show!

Tickets are on sale now from www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au or call 03 8676 7511.

MORE INFORMATION

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Season: 28 December 2016 – 28 January 2017
Bookings: (03) 8676 7511 or online at: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.

Competition Time! Wind in the Willows and Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies

| Kidding Around Australia

We love outdoor children’s events and the Australian Shakespeare Company never disappoint! We are so excited to celebrate 30 years of The Wind in the Willows this year that we thought we would give one lucky family (2 adults and 2 kids) a chance to see the show! The Australian Shakespeare Company are such good people they have also given us a family pass to Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies to give away as well!

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This summer, one of Australia’s most beloved family traditions “The Wind in the Willows” will perform their 30th consecutive season in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

We thought last years performance was TOADally awesome – you can read our review HERE!

 

Multi generational audiences are invited to celebrate this summer’s very special season when The Wind in the Willows transforms Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens for the 30th time from 23 December 2016 to 28 January 2017.

Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly and, of course, Mr Toad, as they return this summer, bringing to life Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank. The critically acclaimed outdoor theatre production delivers music, songs and laughs. There is fun for young and old as the Head Chief Rabbit transforms audiences into rabbits with a waggle of the ears and a wiggle of the nose.

Melbourne’s best-loved affordable family entertainment, The Wind in the Willows asks you to pack a picnic, pack the kids and join in the fun!

MORE INFORMATION:

DATES: Melbourne: 23 December – 28 January 10am Tue – Sun, 6pm Thu, Fri, Sat (No 6pm performance on 24 Dec, no shows on 27 Dec, 1 Jan or 26 Jan)

WHERE: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Enter via Gate F on Birdwood Avenue

PRICES: Single tickets $25 (Sun – Fri) $30 (Sat); Family of four (four tickets, any age) $90 (Sun – Fri), $110 (Sat).

BOOKINGS: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au or call 8676 7511

Tickets are available at the on-site box office unless sold out, box office opens one hour prior to each performance.

WHAT TO BRING: Pack a picnic full of goodies you like to eat and drink, a blanket or cushions to sit on, sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat.

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Following a sell out London debut Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies is returning to Melbourne and asking children aged 3-6 to come dressed as a fairy or an elf and help Tinkerbell and her Dream Fairy friends on their magical quest!

In Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies, the adventurous Tinkerbell happens upon the fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Travelling from the dream forest, the cheeky Mustardseed, fluttery Moth, daring Cobweb and sweet Peasblossom all go on a magical quest with Tinkerbell, learning about the different worlds they are from. On the way, Dewdrop – a small fairy played by acrobatic sisters Cierra (8) and Cameron (13) Shook – creates a flurry of fun.

There is singing, dancing and a special adventure to ‘Bubble Land’ where audience members are asked to help the Fairies find their wings. So pack a picnic and join in the magic!

EVENT INFORMATION GEELONG:

DATES: 23rd December 2016

WHEN: 10am and 12.30pm

WHERE: Geelong Botanic Gardens

PRICES: All tickets $25

BOOKINGS: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au or call 03 8676 7511

EVENT INFORMATION MELBOURNE:

DATES: 28 December 2016 to 28 January 2017

WHEN: 10am Tuesday – Sunday, 12.30pm Friday & Saturday (No shows 27 Dec, 1 Jan, 26 Jan)

WHERE: Oak Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Enter through Gate F on Birdwood Avenue.

PRICES: All tickets $25

BOOKINGS: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au or call 03 8676 7511

Cash sales are available at the on-site box office unless sold out, box office opens one hour prior to each performance.

WHAT TO BRING: Come dressed as an elf or fairy. Pack a picnic full of goodies you like to eat and drink, a blanket or cushions to sit on, sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat.

So what do you have to do now?

Firstly, make sure you LIKE and FOLLOW Kidding Around Australia on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all that we do!

TO ENTER:

If you would like to go to either of these shows, simply: 


1 ✅ Enter your details in the form below and tell us which show you would like to see!

2 ✅ Enter also on Facebook for bonus entries.

Competition ends 24 December, 2016 (8pm AEST). The winner will be chosen by random draw and announced on this post on Christmas Eve at 8.30pm AEST.

(If you can’t see the form, it may be that it is not supported by your email so click on the website!)

Good Luck Everyone!

Kidding Around at … Wind in the Willows by the Australian Shakespeare Company

| Kidding Around Australia

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Wind in the Willows is TOADally awesome!

We were invited to join Mr. Toad, Ratty, Weasel, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly, Polly and the Head Chief Rabbit at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne to watch them bring to life Kenneth Grahame’s famous tale about life on the riverbank. Amazingly, this year Wind in the Willows is celebrating 29 years in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and 15 years in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney!

The cast of Wind In The Willows – from left Badger (Ben Noble) Mole (Chloe Bruer Jones) Ratty (Leigh Piper) Head Chief Rabbit (Roscoe Mathers) Weasel (Paul Morris). Photographer Matt Deller.
The cast of Wind In The Willows – from left Badger (Ben Noble) Mole (Chloe Bruer Jones) Ratty (Leigh Piper) Head Chief Rabbit (Roscoe Mathers) Weasel (Paul Morris). Photographer Matt Deller.

For over 90 minutes, we were entertained by all of the classic characters who were introduced by the narrator, Head Chief Rabbit. The children (and let’s face it, most parents) were transformed into rabbits by the Head Chief Rabbit with a waggle of the ears and a wiggle of the nose!

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All of the young ‘rabbits’ were encouraged to get involved and become part of the adventure where we (oops, I mean THEY) sang out loud, ran through the gardens, screamed and laughed hysterically!

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Head Chief Rabbit (Roscoe Mathers), Ratty (Leigh Piper), Toad (Ryan Hawke), Portly (Dante Arestia), Badger (Ben Noble) and Weasel (Paul Morris). Photographer Matt Deller.

Georgina Says

Don’t forget to pack a picnic full of yummy goodies, a rug to sit on, a hat, insect repellent and some sunscreen. The production moves location half way through so make sure you are ready to fold up your picnic rug, grab your stuff and go for a little stroll to the next set.

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Head Chief Rabbit (Roscoe Mathers) Toad (Ryan Hawke ) and Ratty (Leigh Piper). Photographer Matt Deller.

The kids loved the Head Chief Rabbit (played by Roscoe Mathers) and by far the most entertaining for me was the Weasel (played by Cheltenham local Paul Morris). He has shades of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow and rumour has it that whilst I was away from my picnic rug with the children (I won’t tell you why) he helped himself to my popcorn!

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Paul Morris is fantastic as Weasel!

We LOVED the show. Seriously, there is something for everyBUNNY (see what I did there?) to enjoy. Everyone from 4-84 will be have a laugh at one of the jokes and thoroughly enjoy being whisked away to the world of Wind in the Willows. This is interactive theatre at it’s best and you and your family will be talking about it for a long time!

So, HOP TO IT, book your tickets and don’t forget to get a photo with the cast after the show!

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MORE INFORMATION

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne (Enter via Gate F on Birdwood Avenue)
Season: 24 December 2015 – 23 January 2016
Bookings: (03) 8676 7511 or online at: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney (Harbour side of main pond)
Season: 6 – 23 January 2016
Bookings: 1300 122 344 or online at: www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.

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