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25 March – 13 April 2019

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 funnyand 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 or pushed to the margins and any parent desperate for tools to help. The show employs cutting edge digital technology, startling animatronics and a beautiful original musical score.

ROBOT SONG is featured on the VCE Drama Playlist 2019.

“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.”
FIONA PARKER, ABC

DURATION
60 minutes no interval

AUSLAN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE - THURS 4th APRIL 7:30pm

RELAXED PERFORMANCE - THURS 4th APRIL 11:00am
– Subdued lighting and sound
– House lights up gently in the audience
– The ability to come and go freely during the performance

Written, Directed and Designed by
JOLYON JAMES
Composer/Musical Director
NATHAN GILKES
Assistant Director
SARAH BRANTON
Dramaturgy
CHRISTIAN LEAVESLEY
Script Consultant
ANTHONY CROWLEY
Costume Design
BETH SAYER
Lighting Design
PAUL LIM
Production Manager
BEN VAN DILLEN
Stage Manager
THERESA O'CONNOR
Performed by
ASHLEA PYKE AND PHILLIP MCINNES
Photo by
JOLYON JAMES

Theatre Works & Arena Theatre Company present

Robot Song

By Jolyon James

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