Roald Dahl's FANTASTIC MR. FOX Comes to The QPAC Stage This Easter

Roald Dahl's much-loved Fantastic Mr Fox will leap off the page and onto the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Playhouse stage from 11 - 20 April 2019 in another thrilling new production presented by shake & stir theatre co and QPAC.

The team behind award-winning, sold-out national tours of Dahl's George's Marvellous Medicine and multi Helpmann Award nominated Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts, as well as the recent runaway success, A Christmas Carol, kick off 2019 with a tall tale perfect for all ages to enjoy.

Published in 1970, Dahl's hilarious wit remains on full display in Fantastic Mr Fox, an action-thriller-suspense-comedy overflowing with cunning plans, explosions and chases, not to mention mischief, mayhem and humongous belly laughs.

Mr Fox lives in the wood, under a hole, under a huge tree with Mrs Fox and their small Fox family. Every night, Mr Fox leaves the hole to steal food from three horrible farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - one fat, one short, one lean.

The three greedy farmers concoct a plan to catch Mr Fox, but no-one outfoxes a fox. When Mr Fox needs to save his family and friends, he'll go to any length, above or underground, to outwit the mean humans.

This Easter holidays, join Mr Fox and his team of furry friends as they bounce, burrow and bewilder their way to safety.

shake & stir theatre co Co-Artistic Director Ross Balbuziente is excited to direct another Dahl favourite, a story he himself has read countless times.

"This is the third Roald Dahl adaptation created by shake & stir theatre co I have had the privilege to direct, and the one I'm most excited about. I couldn't tell you how many times I have read this book over the years," said Mr Balbuziente.

"The story has the trademark grit, wit and grotesque deliciousness we have come to expect from Dahl and features three of his most hilarious meanies - Boggis, Bunce and Bean. At the same time, the beating heart of the story is the importance of friendship and family, and the reminder that when we work together, anything can be accomplished.

"It's a passion and joy for us at shake & stir theatre co to take Dahl's quintessential books and create reimagined theatre works for families of every age, shape and size to enjoy."

Featuring some of the best comic actors in Queensland including Johnny Balbuziente, Leon Cain, Tim Dashwood, Nelle Lee, Nick Skubij and Gemma Willing, the cast's personal love of Roald Dahl and Fantastic Mr Fox will create true magic on stage.

With impressive set and costume (Josh McIntosh), lighting (Jason Glenwright), composition and sound (Guy Webster) and video (Craig Wilkinson) design, Fantastic Mr Fox promises to be a visual and aural feast that will transport audiences deep underground and back to the earth's crust in time for dinner.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said partnering with shake & stir theatre co continues to be an important part of QPAC's role in enabling the creation of brand new theatre work by Queensland artists and companies in Brisbane.

"We work with shake & stir theatre co year-on-year to create and present high quality new drama works to audiences not only here at QPAC, but across Queensland and the country," said Mr Kotzas.

"QPAC and shake & stir's Roald Dahl productions have been seen by over 200,000 people across Australia and New Zealand and have played sold-out seasons at QPAC, the Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, Heath Ledger Theatre Perth, Canberra Theatre Centre, to name only a few of the venues in which the works have been presented."

You've read the book, seen the movie - now experience this world premiere stage adaptation from the wacky mind of the world's number one storyteller. Fantastic Mr Fox is suitable for ages five and up, tickets on sale now via qpac.com.au or 136 246.

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