© Julia Vivas
Mem Fox’s enchanting tale of a little possum on a quest of self-discovery comes alive on stage at the Sydney Opera House this Easter school holidays. Possum Magic, on in the Playhouse until 28 April, boasts a stunning set, wonderful acting and a touch of pure magic.
After Grandma Poss uses her bush magic to make little Hush invisible, keeping her safe from the predators who would seek to do her harm; it doesn’t take long for Hush to tire of the fun in being hidden and long to see herself once more.
© Heidrun Lohr
Afraid she will simply disappear, she begs Grandma Poss to whip up a spell to restore her self back to its former being but Grandma Poss’ book of magic is missing the key ingredient. There is no spell to make Hush visible again.
So the pair embark on a cross-country journey that takes them across Australia on nothing more than a bicycle, an umbrella and blind hope of finding the remedy they’re looking for. Stopping in major cities from Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart; they encounter the flavour of each locale and Hush samples a taste of ‘people food’ hoping that a pumpkin scone or a vegemite sandwich or a lamington might make her reappear.
© Heidrun Lohr
I loved the undercurrent of this story, as a little possum looks to piece together her identity through the cultural factions that make up her homeland. Steeped in the nuances, landmarks and by now iconic food stuffs synonymous with Australia, Fox’s classic story is a love letter to this remarkable country.
With beautiful costumes in a magical colour palette that reflect the delicate beauty of Julie Vivas’ illustrations in the book, sprinkles of sparkle and bursts of comedy injected throughout; Possum Magic will capture the awe and attention of youngsters and their adults alike.
Book your tickets now.
BEST AVAILABILITY: The performances with the best availability are on Wednesday 17 April, 2.30pm and Wednesday 24 April, 2.30pm
To buy the book click here
© Heidrun Lohr
**While you are at the Opera House, there is an interactive Lego play and performance area where kids are invited beyond the rope to apply Lego to the performing duo and then watch a short dance as they attempt to remove the pieces from each other.
What you need to know:
What: Possum Magic
Where: The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
When: 15-28 April 2019
Who: For kids aged 3+
Time: 10.30am and 12.30pm (+ 2.30pm on 24 & 27 April)
Tickets: $29 + $8.50 booking fee
Duration: 50 minutes (no interval)
Facilities: Big bags will need to be cloaked ahead of the performance, ticketed pram parking is available and toilets are located at either end of the mezzanine level where the Playhouse is located.
Parking: You can Book a Bay in the Wilsons Parking carpark beneath the Opera House. Weekday rates start at $13 for an hour with 30 minutes leeway either side, while there is a flat rate of $12 on the weekend if you book online and you can park all day up till 5pm. In addition, if you’re planning to make a day of it, there is a special school holiday rate of $21/day.
Getting There: If using public transport, your nearest train station and ferry quay is Circular Quay, while there are plenty of buses that will take you to Circular Quay as well with a short 5-10 minute walk to your ultimate destination.
Note: Photography and recording is not permitted so make sure phones are switched off.
© Julia Vivas