MOUTH OPEN, STORY JUMP OUT to Play Arts Centre Melbourne

Steven Camden, aka Polarbear - one of the UK's most respected spoken word artists - is heading to Arts Centre Melbourne on 27 -28 June to present his ground-breaking work for children, Mouth Open, Story Jump Out, a show about the craft of storytelling.

Steven makes things up. Whether it's stories, jokes or adventures, he's a master "maker-upperer". Mouth Open, Story Jump Out looks at how one decision set off a chain reaction that changed his life forever. International assassins, secret codes, and dog-eating boa constrictors - he fills the hole left when a father disappears and a boy discovers a talent for telling tales.

The inspiring, interactive storytelling work in Arts Centre Melbourne's newest performance space, The Channel, gives children aged 8+ and their families a chance to get up close to the action and make up their own stories.

Steven is known for his performances as a poet and working with young people aged 8 - 25. Born and raised in the English city of Birmingham, he has been leading young people's writing and performance projects with schools and arts organisations since 2006.

Steven has delivered story writing and spoken word courses with the British Council in Malaysia, Slovenia and Rotterdam.

He has been commissioned by BBC Radio 3 and 4 to write narrative pieces for broadcast and his spoken word has also featured on Radio 1 and Radio 6 music. With performances at Glastonbury, One Taste, Electric Picnic and Jazz Cafe, as well as several UK tours (including his story If I Cover My Nose You Can't See Me), Steven has built up his reputation as a storyteller for the 21st century. His story for young adults, Tape, was published last year.