Patch Theatre Company to Embark on Largest Ever Australian & New Zealand Tour with MR MCGEE AND THE BITING FLEA, March 24

Six whimsical Pamela Allen stories are weaved together in the much loved Mr McGee and the Biting Flea by Patch Theatre Company. The enduring work will hit the road in March embarking on the company's largest ever national tour as well as touring the popular work to New Zealand for the first time.

Prepare to be mesmerized and laugh at the same time with Mr McGee and the Biting Flea. Using an assortment of props and found objects, the three performers bring the stories to sweet, music-infused life while offering powerful connections to the inner lives of children. This wonderful production features adaptations of Pamela Allen's stories: Mr McGee, Alexander's Outing, Belinda, Brown Bread and Honey, Mary Elizabeth's House and Mr McGee and the Biting Flea.

This multi-award winning production has been enchanting children around Australia since 2007. It has won the National Helpmann Award for 'Best Children's Presentation' in 2008, the Adelaide Critics Circle Award for Innovation in 2007 and the Australian Performing Arts Centre's National Drovers Award for 'Touring Excellence' in 2007.

As South Australia's longest running theatre company for children, Patch Theatre Company has a diverse repertoire of productions for 4-8 year olds and their families. The company has presented over 104 new productions to more than 1.7 million children and their families since it began in 1972.

Over the past decade Patch Theatre Company has presented nine of its repertoire productions, in more than 27 international seasons, to children's festivals and venues in the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Korea, Japan and New Zealand. Patch also has delivered ten national Playing Australia tours and has presented eight seasons at the Sydney Opera House and nine seasons at Arts Centre, Victoria.

The cast includes one of the Production's original creators David Pidd along with Eddie Morrison, Ellen Steele, Rory Walker, Stephanie Rossie and Tim Overton.

Patch Theatre Artistic Director Dave Brown, says "I am thrilled that Mr McGee is about to embark on the company's biggest ever national tour, I am not surprised that long after it's conception this enduring work continues to delight audiences and I can guarantee its popularity will continue to soar with the work touring regularly in years to come".

"A wonderful experience for children emphasising the magic of theatre. Beautifully performed, Mr McGee and the Biting Flea wistfully evokes an innocent, handmade and literally playful era of storytelling and song that contrasts with our own age of electronic nannying via TV and DVD." Sydney Sunday Herald

"A simple valentine of theatrical imagination. It is rare to see a show that leaves an avid theatregoer wanting more. Mr McGee does" Minneapolis Herald

2014 NATIONAL TOUR - MR MCGEE & THE BITING FLEA

Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs NT - 24 & 25 March
Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin NT - 28 March
Matt Dann Cultural Centre, South Hedland WA - 4 April

Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton WA - 9 April
University Theatres, Perth WA - 12 April
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah WA - 15 & 16 April
Margaret River Cultural Centre, Margaret River WA - 23 April
Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura VIC - 2 May
Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Hamilton VIC - 6 May
Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabin VIC - 8 & 9 May
Wyndham Cultural Centre, Weeribee VIC -12 & 13 May

Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds VIC - 17 May
Drum Theatre, Dandenong VIC - 19 & 20 May
Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton VIC - 24 May
West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul VIC - 27 May
Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston VIC - 30 May

The Capital, Bendigo VIC - 3 June
Burnie Arts and Function Centre, Burnie TAS - 7 June
Theatre Royal, Hobart TAS - 12 & 13 June
Riverlinks, Shepparton VIC - 17 June
Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta VIC - 19 & 20 June
Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury NSW - 24 June
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra ACT - 27 & 28 June
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatres, Wagga Wagga NSW - 2-4 July
Seymour Centre, Chippendale NSW - 8 - 12 July
Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree NSW - 22 July
Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW - 24 & 25 July
Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith NSW - 29 July
Orange Civic Theatre, Orange NSW - 31 July & 1 August
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathhurst - 5 August
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta NSW - 7 & 8 August

New Zealand - from 19 April

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