THEATRE WORKS AND NCM PRESENT
Robot Song
BY JOLYON JAMES
12 - 21 FEBRUARY | THEATRE WORKS
BY JOLYON JAMES
Multi-award winning Robot Song features an original musical score and breathtaking visuals. Following acclaimed tours around Australia, New Zealand and North America, Robot Song returns with a fresh new outlook on timely and relevant challenges being faced by young people.
When eleven-year-old Juniper May receives a petition signed by her entire class stating that she is ‘the most hated person in the school’ her life is thrown into complete meltdown. Juniper stops eating, she refuses to return to school and her parents become increasingly desperate. Finally, after exhausting all other avenues, her parents’ resort to the only thing they have left, a giant singing robot.
Based on a true story, Robot Song illustrates the profound, transformative nature of creativity that when combined with unconditional love, becomes an unstoppable force. For Juniper, creativity opens doors into places she never knew existed allowing her, for the first time, to be defined on her own terms.
Robot Song is a deeply personal story. It shares an honest, intensely funny and often unconventional window into writer, director Jolyon James’ experience parenting a child on the Autism Spectrum. The show poses and attempts to answer the question, how do we support, foster and celebrate difference in our children in the face of an increasingly rigid and homogenised world?
Robot Song is a genuine family show. It is joyful and full of hope. It is for any child who has ever felt isolated and any parent who is desperate for tools to help.
Learn more about the Robot Song story: https://jolyonjames.squarespace.com/robot-song-the-musical
VENUE
THEATRE WORKS
14 Acland Street, St Kilda
DURATION
60 minutes
WARNINGS
Mental health issues, bullying, neurodivergence discrimination
ACCESSIBILITY
Theatre Works is a wheelchair accessible venue. A full access guide will be available closer to the date.
“Gorgeously told and superbly crafted, A must-see for young people growing up in a world where bullying is widespread but who need to understand that difference should be seen as an asset. Laugh out loud hilarious, gorgeously told and superbly crafted, a must see.”
- Fiona Parker, ABC
“theatre for young people that neither patronises nor preaches to its audience.”
- The Age
"Robot Song is an impressive gem of a show, particularly suitable for children, but also enjoyable for adults as it celebrates differences in a touching and sometimes spectacular way."
- Imogen Fox, The Dialog
“Engaging and with an important message about inclusion, Robot Song is a remarkable work, carrying a strong but not preachy anti-bullying rallying cry."
- Melbourne Comedy Festival ★★★★★
“Robot Song is a truly magical show, full of wit and emotional intelligence.”
- Istvan Reviews Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
“Robot Song is a thoroughly enjoyable, moving, and funny story about something we can all relate to – feeling isolated or different."
- Lucinda Naughton, Theatre Travels
DATES + TIMES
Thursday 12 February - 7:30pm
Friday 13 February - 7:30pm
Saturday 14 February - 11:00am
Saturday 14 February - 7:30pm (Opening Night)
Monday 16 February- 11:00am
Tuesday 17 February - 11:00am
Tuesday 17 February - 7:30pm
Wednesday 18 February - 11:00am
Wednesday 18 February - 7:30pm
Thursday 19 February - 11:00am
Thursday 19 February - 7:30pm
Friday 20 February - 11:00am
Friday 20 February - 7:30pm
Saturday 21 February - 11:00am
Theatre Works has a lockout policy for latecomers. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure you don't miss out.
Refunds will not be issued to latecomers.
TICKETS
FULL PRICE
CONCESSION*
CHILDREN
$48.00
$38.00
$25.00
*Seniors, Student, MEAA, Health Care and Low Income card holders
Shows in the WITH THEATRE WORKS stream align strongly our values and missions - these works we co-produce and co-present with independent artists and/or companies. Projects within this stream receive significant producing, marketing, PR and production support in addition to free use of the venue and a generous box office split.
CREDITS
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY
Jolyon James
PRODUCED BY
Jolyon James
NCM
COMPOSER
Nate Gilkes
PERFORMERS
Adeline Hunter
Phillip McInnes
MUSICIAN
Michelle Doyle
STAGE MANAGER
Stephanie Young
TECHNICIAN
Justin Gardam
MEET THE ARTIST
JOLYON JAMES
Based in Victoria, Jolyon James is an independent multidisciplinary visual artist, writer and performance maker focused primarily on the theatre for young people sector. Previously the Artistic Associate and Lead Artist with Arena Theatre Company, Jolyon has held teaching, mentoring and directing roles at The Victorian College of the Arts, Monash University and Collarts. He designs and leads creative workshops for young people, mentors emerging artists and creates pathways into the industry through active cultural leadership. Jolyon is a passionate advocate for access and inclusion,actively creating space for artists from diverse backgrounds.
