From the 14-19 July 2015, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning picture book The Gruffallo’s Child is being brought to life at the National Theatre, St. Kilda.
We have two family passes (8 tickets) to give away, and can’t wait to announce who will be taking a stroll through the deep dark wood…
Have a wonderful time Stefanie and Sapna! We can’t wait to hear all about it! Could you please email me at info@kiddingaroundaustralia.com to organise delivery of your tickets!
Based on the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, published by Macmillan Children’s Books,
THE GRUFFALO IS RETURNING TO MELBOURNE – WITH HIS CHILD!
After sell-out seasons of its predecessor nation-wide, the team behind “The Gruffalo” return with the charming sequel based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s world wide best seller, playing at the National Theatre, St Kilda from 14-19 July 2015.
The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should
Ever set foot in the deep dark wood…
But one wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?
The Gruffalo’s Childbrings this much loved book to life on stage, using physical theatre, music and puppetry to deliver songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 4 and up and their adults.
This best selling production, which has wowed audiences around the world, returns to Melbourne for one week only after a sold out premiere season in 2012.
Critics have raved about The Gruffalo’s Child:
“winningly played” (Sydney Morning Herald)
“can’t fail to please” (Brisbane Courier Mail)
“…this brave little offspring of the Gruffalo captures the young audience and keeps it entranced….” (Stage Whispers)
It was 28 years ago that my Mum, Sister and I went to Disney On Ice. We only went once during my childhood and so, all these years later, I was excited to take my children to Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream at Hisense Arena. My sister, Alexandra, was able to come with us as Tim was working so we were both able to relive a special childhood memory.
Disney On Ice is a world class show that needs no introduction. Children across the world have long been fascinated by their favourite characters being brought to life by highly skilled ice skaters.
Disney On Ice’s 2015 tour is themed ‘Dare To Dream’, and featured Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Rapunzel from Tangled. Each story was introduced by four very famous and well loved friends, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy!
Whilst everyone took their seats waiting for the show to begin, staff armed only with buckets clowned around on stage much to the delight to the audience! The excitement was palpable!
Right on time, the lights dimmed and out came Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy and introduced Tiana and the characters from The Princess and the Frog. This performance was a short scene in Tiana’s Restaurant from the film and not an abridged version of the story.
The rest of the Princesses performed in a shortened version of their story. Snow White met the Seven Dwarfs after the Evil Queen (her magic mirror glided eerily around the stage, unassisted by any visible means) tried to have her killed, she then ate the apple, fell asleep and was awoken by The Prince’s kiss, the man she inevitably falls in love with!
Cinderella’s famous story took place in two parts, both before and after intermission. The set rotated and the walls opened to reveal Prince Charming’s majestic castle. Disney On Ice clearly spared no expense when it came to the sets and costumes. Each costume was brilliantly detailed and carefully considered.
Tangled was the last story to be told, and this one really showcased the skill of the performers. Maximus the horse showed some very fancy footwork, while Rapunzel and Flynn flew through the air Cirque Du Soleil style, without any safety harnesses, with just one arm wrapped around Rapunzel’s ‘hair’. It was mesmerising!
The Grand Finale featured all of our favourite Princesses and Alegría had a wonderful time guessing who they were! Baby girl knows her princesses! Isaac, (who, you’ll be pleased to know, didn’t disappear this time – but was fidgety), loved the fireworks!
The show is truly spectacular and should not be missed!
Georgina Says
Even though it says on the Disney On Ice website that you can’t be “too young or too old to enjoy the show”, I think 4+ is the ideal age – especially if the parent wants to enjoy the show!
Afterwards, we were invited to meet two special guests – Mickey and Minnie! As always, Isaac marched straight up to them for a hug shortly followed by Alegría! I wonder if he wished it was Cinderella?
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE DISNEY ON ICE presents DARE TO DREAM, AND WE THINK YOU SHOULD, THEN THERE IS STILL TIME IF YOU LIVE IN SYDNEY! BUT HURRY, IT FINISHES ON JULY 12,2015!
MORE INFORMATION
A Celebration of Royal Proportions! Tickets on sale NOW!
Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream comes to Sydney from 8-12 July, 2015 and will be the ultimate princess experience, taking audiences on a journey to fulfil their dreams. Bringing two of Disney’s modern day princess stories Tangled and, The Princess and the Frog and two most beloved fairytales Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella, this action packed skating spectacle is a classic meets contemporary celebration of 75 years of Disney Princess stories. Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream opens its national tour in Perth on 5 June and travels to Adelaide, Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney until 12 July.
Laugh at Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled, as Rapunzel, Flynn and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Travel to the enchanted forest with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as Snow White escapes from the Evil Queen in her search for her one true love. Watch as fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. And boogie to the beat of the bayou in a magical, musical journey that celebrates the story of The Princess and the Frog with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
Sydney – Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park 8 – 12 July (Wed – Sun)
Purchase tickets from Ticketek: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au/disneyonice. Tickets start from just $29.50. Additional discounts apply on select performances. Credit card and transaction fees may also apply.
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.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.
We loved the Just Craft! Mega Craft Pack so much that we asked them if they would like to be a part of our “Random Acts of Kid-ness” for July as we have been told about a little boy who loves Minions and spends a lot of time in hospital. Of course, they said “Yes!” and we will be sending Campbell a Just Craft! Mega Craft Pack – perfect for long stays in hospital. Thank you Just Craft!
Six year old Campbell has Biliary Atresia. Biliary Atresia is a life threatening disease affecting 1 in 20,000 births. By 8 weeks old, the bile ducts within Campbell’s liver had disintegrated and the bile was ‘trapped’ in his liver.
9 week old Campbell after the Kasai surgery
He required lifesaving surgery immediately, and a surgery called the ‘Kasai’ procedure (where the surgeon uses 20cm of the small intestine to act as his bile duct) was performed on 9 week old Campbell. The surgery has only a 25% chance of being fully successful and his liver having drainage.
The operation took 7 hours to complete, was not successful for 3 months and then at week 15 just like a miracle it began to drain bile! Unfortunately, almost 6 months of bile trapped in his liver had done its damage and Campbell now has severe liver cirrhosis, enlarged spleen, oesophageal varices, portal hypertension and many other symptoms that come with liver disease.
He will require a liver transplant to survive.
Kylie, Campbell’s mum, says
“Cam was born healthy but at 2 days old he started to yellow. ‘It’s normal for newborns’ we were told, at 1 week old we went back and got some blood tests, ‘it’s all normal’ we were again told so off we went! 2 weeks old we asked again for blood to be taken only to be told it’s probably breast milk jaundice and to forget about it but that was hard as he was getting more yellow by the day. ‘Put him in sunlight’, ‘He’s just fine, look how big he’s getting!’ Those comments haunt me to this day as deep down I knew something was wrong but I took ‘the professionals’ word for it and just carried on.
Cooper, Paul, Ashtyn, Kylie and Campbell
At 8 weeks old Campbell had quite a ‘sun tan’ and we all giggled because it actually looked really good, that ‘sun tan’ was harbouring quite a different story and one of the main symptoms in a disease I’d never heard of! Campbell, we were told after we requested a specialist paeditrician to look at our new baby, was likely to have a disease called Biliary Atresia! To help find out if ‘BA’ was what was wrong with Campbell we needed to get an ultrasound, that Friday afternoon is when our lives turned around.
Dr. Luke Sammartino, our family paediatrian and now very close family friend, viewed the scans and sent us straight to The Royal Children’s Hospital. Campbell’s blood had to be taken, at 8 weeks of age that’s a difficult thing to watch, the results showed what the doctors suspected, very high Bilirubin and stress on his tiny liver. The diagnosis of BA had to be confirmed via biopsy of the liver so 3 days after initially being told by Dr. Luke we may have a very sick child was one of the first times I let surgeons take my baby, the first of many times within Campbell’s life!”
In total Campbell has had over 20 admissions in the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, in excess of 10 procedures performed on him and 100’s of blood draws and invasive procedures and although his liver is very damaged, Campbell likes to do the normal things any 6 year old does! He loves school, playing with his brothers Cooper and Ashtyn, his friends and having fun!
Brave Campbell, still fighting!
The gastroenterology team based at the hospital have plans set in place to care for Campbell; he is quite a unique child due to BA with only around 8-10 new cases seen at RCH every year and each child is different than the other!
Whilst his family are trying to help Campbell keep his own liver for as long as possible, they know that the day they will have to hand him over again for the fight of his life.
Campbell and his family are truly inspirational. They show such strength and positivity. Stay healthy Campbell, we hope you enjoy your Just Craft! Mega Craft Pack.
Campbell’s family have asked that you please support The Royal Children’s Hospital.
“It saved our sons life and you never know when you might need their help!!!! We are forever in its debt!!!”
If you are looking for something to keep the kids entertained either in the car, on holiday or at home, then you can’t go past the Just Craft! Mega Craft Pack. The pack contains 4 different activities (which are also sold separately as DIY Craft Kits) and include foam mosaics, air-dry clay, a hand puppet and a fridge magnet. These activities have been specifically designed to keep little hands busy for up to 30 minutes and are suitable for children aged 4 to 10 years.
Create your own Mosaic Poster
This activity took the longest to complete and would be perfect for the car! It is simply a matter of placing the stickers on the spots to create a shiny mosaic poster!
Create your own Clay Model character
This activity was fun! There is step-by-step instructions, although you can be as creative as you wish. The clay dries without the use of ovens etc. but doesn’t dry so hard that it will smash like traditional clay, if dropped. It is like a hard foam that bounces – handy for avoiding tears! A word of warning: the different colours stick together very quickly so they don’t forgive you putting clay in the wrong spots.
Create your own hand puppet
This activity is very good for hand/eye coordination! It involves sewing (with a plastic needle) and stickers. We were worried how long the stickers would stay on the felt for but they have held up well. It is not a puppet that will last forever but your child will have fun with their new friend!
Create your own fridge magnet
The fridge magnet takes the least amount of time to complete! This is a 5 minute activity! Children can do it without any assistance (time for a cuppa in peace!).
Both Alegría and Isaac love hands-on interactive play and would much prefer this type of activity to technology based entertainment. As a parent, it’s the type of indoor activity that we encourage and there is always some sort of craft project on the go in the Kidding Around Australia house. The problem is, that some craft activities can be really messy (we’re looking at you GLITTER!) and often take more time to set up than to complete.
GEORGINA SAYS
I love that every Just Craft! product is self-contained, which means no other items are required like glue or scissors. Everything your child needs is there in the pack and often the child can do the activity without the need of parental assistance!
The Mega Craft Pack retails for $19.95 and the individual kits all cost no more than $10 – and I have seen them on sale, so keep an eye out!
MORE INFORMATION
All Just Craftproducts are availablenationally at Spotlight, Toys R Us &specialty toystores.
The range can also be purchasedonline via Rainbow Fun
Disclaimer: Alegría was sent these products for review. As always our opinions are honest and our own.
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.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.
With many thanks to CDP presents Tall Stories’ magical musical adaptation of
The Gruffalo’s Child
WE HAVE 8 TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY!
Based on the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, published by Macmillan Children’s Books,
THE GRUFFALO IS RETURNING TO MELBOURNE – WITH HIS CHILD!
After sell-out seasons of its predecessor nation-wide, the team behind “The Gruffalo” return with the charming sequel based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s world wide best seller, playing at the National Theatre, St Kilda from 14-19 July 2015.
The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should
Ever set foot in the deep dark wood…
But one wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?
The Gruffalo’s Childbrings this much loved book to life on stage, using physical theatre, music and puppetry to deliver songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 4 and up and their adults.
This best selling production, which has wowed audiences around the world, returns to Melbourne for one week only after a sold out premiere season in 2012.
Critics have raved about The Gruffalo’s Child:
“winningly played” (Sydney Morning Herald)
“can’t fail to please” (Brisbane Courier Mail)
“…this brave little offspring of the Gruffalo captures the young audience and keeps it entranced….” (Stage Whispers)
TO ENTER FILL OUT YOUR DETAILS AND ANSWER A SIMPLE QUESTION!
In 2005, my sister and I travelled to Rome and Vatican City and I remember us talking about how many nuns we were seeing. It should hardly be surprising that there were nuns about, but the sheer number of nuns definitely got our attention! Since our return, I don’t think I have seen many, or in fact, any nuns! Although, it has been 10 years, so I am sure I have seen one or two… but I digress.
Last Saturday, at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, they came in droves. Hundreds of nuns, and whilst they many not have been as authentic as those in Italy and Vatican City, they were still eye catching! Theatre attendees of all ages were dressed in costumes ranging from a Bishop to Baronesses, Nuns to lonely goatherds, Von Trapp children to brown paper packages tied up with string and anyone else you would expect as everyone excitedly entered Hamer Hall to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Sound of Music with A-Sing-A-Long-A.
Chelsea Plumley was a witty host whose humour and impressive vocal range set the tone for the show. For all those that had dressed up, this was their moment to shine as one by one everyone made their way on stage. After having a chat to Chelsea, they were judged by the “clap-o-meter” and the lucky ones won some prizes.
Chelsea encouraged us to follow the words and sing along and taught us how to use our goody bag prop packs that were filled with items to hold up or things to do during particular parts of the movie. She even taught us some dance moves for songs such as Do Re Mi.
In our bags we had cards for “How do you solve a problem like Maria?”, edelweiss for “Edelweiss”, a piece of curtain for “My favourite things”, invitations to wave at the ball and a party popper to let off at exactly the moment the Captain and Maria’s lips met.
Fortunately for Alegría, her Grannyma gave her her popper so she would have two to pop. Unfortuately for Alegría, she gave the second popper to me to hold. She had a little trouble popping hers, so as Grannyma was helping her, I got carried away in the moment and popped both mine and Alegría’s second one. Sorry baby girl!
There is no escaping the fact that the Sound of Music is a long film. 174 minutes. Just shy of 3 hours. Coupled with the hour of entertainment at the beginning of the show, it makes for a 4 hour experience. Alegría (who’s 5) made it, just. She loved the beginning, but got restless in the last hour (when they are trying to escape the Nazi’s – cue lots of questions!). Thank goodness we left Isaac at home, he would have been a nightmare!
I really enjoyed it. I could sing loud and proud and there is no denying that this type of event is right up my alley! More than just a film screening – I laughed, I discovered new things about the film (even though I have seen it countless times) and enjoyed the experience with my fellow Austrians, I mean, Australians!
Now, if you’ll excuse me… I have to go make play clothes out of the curtains for the children.
If you liked this post, you may like these as well:
Le Noir – The Dark Side of CirqueThe Wiggles and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Review
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.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.
Pack your winter woolies, it’s time for Wild Nights at Werribee Open Range Zoo and we have a family pass to give away to one of our lucky readers!
Throughout the school holidays from 27 June to 11 July Werribee Open Range Zoo will come to life after dark, with fire shows, marshmallow toasting, glow in the dark hula-hooping and a mysterious Secret Garden to explore.
TO ENTER FILL OUT YOUR DETAILS BELOW!
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ENTRIES.
GOOD LUCK!
Open to Victorian residents only. Entries close July 3, 2015 at 4.30pm AEST. Winners will be announced on this website shortly thereafter.
MORE INFORMATION
Rug up and tour the Zoo by torchlight, as you spot Hippos grazing on the beach and Wild Dogs, Cheetah and Lions on the prowl. You can also get close to some very special nocturnal natives including Squirrel Gliders, Fat-tailed Dunnarts and Eastern Barred Bandicoots.
Fire spinning performers will delight visitors of all ages with nightly fire shows and the kids will love the interactive Glow Zone which includes hula hooping and other glow in the dark circus fun.
Follow the tiki torches to discover the light-dappled Secret Garden or settle in at the campfire and enjoy a hot chocolate and free marshmallow toasting under the stars.
Warm winter fare will also be available in the cosy, Meerkat Bistro and indoor play space. Ranger Kids will provide another comfy spot for families to relax as the kids transform themselves into vets and rangers, caring for plush animals in the medic tent and testing out the wooden helicopter.
Rug up, pop on your gumboots and bring your torch for this very special adventure in the dark as you discover what goes bump, hoot and ROAR in the night!
For the ultimate Wild Nights experience, book in for a special Dusk Safari Bus Tour of the African savannah, spotting Rhinos, Zebra and antelope out on the grassy plains. An overnight stay at the Slumber Safari Camp (complete with luxury tents and electric blankets!) can also be booked in advance.
WHEN IS WILD NIGHTS?
Dates: Each night, 27 June – 11 July
Times: 5.30pm – 8.30pm (Entry closes 7pm)
Cost: Adults $35, Concession $28, Children 4 – 15 $7, Children under 4 FREE
We LOVE Hi-5 in the Kidding Around Australia house. As an infant (don’t judge, she RARELY slept) Alegría would watch the Hi-5 gang and I would get some peace! We watched them on TV, we bought the DVD’s and clothes, we went to the concerts … even Alegría’s second birthday was a Hi-5 themed party!
We are eagerly awaiting the Hi-5 presents House of Dreams Australian Tour this June and July school holidays from June 28 to July 15 when they visit Melbourne (and Sydney, Brisbane and Perth).
So, imagine the delight when Hi-5 sent Alegría and Isaac a merchandise pack! The pack included a bag, DVD (thank you for some peace Hi-5!), sticker, bath tablets, poster, hand shaped clapper (the children thank you Hi-5, the Mumma? Not so much!) and photo card.
Alegría and Isaac loved the pack so much that we asked our friends at Hi-5 if we could give three (3) away to our readers and they said yes!
*If you can’t see the form, go to our website. Some email and mobile devices don’t support our software.
Open to Australian residents only. Entries close July 1, 2015 at 6pm. Winners will be announced on this website shortly thereafter.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR
The Hi-5 House of Dreams tour gives audiences an invitation to the most exciting “slumber party” ever! There’s not much sleeping but lots of singing and dancing and adventure when our favourite puppet Chats takes control of the Hi-5’s dreams and makes their dreams come true!
Using Chats’ Magic Dream Catcher audiences will travel through jungles, fairy grottos, underwater coral gardens, the Wild West, and even outer space!! This interactive and energetic show will have audiences totally immersed in the world of dreams.
Hi-5 House of Dreams is a whimsical trip into a fantasy adventure where you can catch your favourite Hi-5 songs – Underwater Discovery, Move your Body, It’s a Party and Living in a Rainbow and plenty of new songs with the Hi-5 gang – Stevie, Mary, Tanika, Ainsley and Dayen.
Source: Supplied
2015 National Tour Dates
Sydney – Big Top, Luna Park 28 June (Sunday)
Brisbane – Royal International Convention Centre 1 July (Wednesday)
Melbourne – Palais Theatre 4 July (Saturday)
Sydney – Concourse Theatre, Chatswood 7-8 July (Tues-Wed)
We were so excited to give away tickets to Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dreamand judging by the amount of entries we received, you were all as equally excited to win!
Three very lucky winners have been chosen to win four tickets (valued at $178) to Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream in the July school holidays with one lucky winner also receiving a money can’t buy meet and greet experience and a merchandise pack!
We won’t make you wait any longer … drum roll please …
Congratulations Milla, Garry and Shannon! Could you please email Georgina at info@kiddingaroundaustralia.com to organise delivery of your tickets!
We hope you have a magical time and can’t wait to hear all about it!
For those of you who didn’t win (we’re sorry!) tickets are available from Ticketek: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au/disneyonice. Tickets start from just $29.50. Additional discounts apply on select performances. Credit card and transaction fees may also apply.
Kidding Around Australia 
