Monkey Baa Presents The World Premiere Of JOSEPHINE WANTS TO DANCE

Monkey Baa, the award-winning theatre company for young people, is proud to present the world premiere of Josephine Wants to Dance, a new Australian play based on the celebrated picture book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley.

Adapted for the stage by Monkey Baa's Creative Directors Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge and Tim McGarry, this landmark Australian production brings to life the iconic children's book, set in Shaggy Gully, with stunning costume and set design, a hilarious original musical score and talented local cast.

Audiences aged four and over will meet Josephine, a kangaroo who loves to dance. Even though her little brother, Joey, tells her that kangaroos don't dance, they hop, Josephine continues to point her toes and leap through the air. When a ballet troupe comes to their sleepy town of Shaggy Gully Josephine learns that there is another way to dance - ballet. She watches the dancers for hours and hours, and practices their moves at night, all alone.

When the ballet troupe gets into trouble on opening night they need an understudy to replace their Prima Ballerina, but who could dance the lead role? Who else could leap that high? Josephine's talents are called upon to help save the day. Can she do it, and more importantly, does it matter that she's a kangaroo?

Director Jonathan Biggins (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue) and a team of revered creatives including Composer Phil Scott (Pete the Sheep, The Wharf Revue), choreographer Tim Harbour of The Australian Ballet, Set and Costume Designer James Browne (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and Lighting Designer Emma Lockhart-Wilson (Where the Streets Had a Name), bring Josephine and the town of Shaggy Gully to the stage for the first time.

"The stage production will bring to life the personalities of real Australian animals in the most imaginative way possible," said Jonathan Biggins, "including Josephine, who is actually based on a real Kangaroo named Fuschia, who lives in the bush near the home of writer Jackie French."

Eva Di Cesare and Sandra Eldridge, Creative Directors of Monkey Baa Theatre Company said "We absolutely adored adapting Josephine for the stage. Josephine encompasses all the good things about curiosity and perserverance and we know everyone will love her as much as we do. We are also incredibly thrilled to be partnering with The Australian Ballet."

The show stars Rebecca Hertherington (Heathers, Blue Heelers), Chloe Dallimore (The Producers, The Addams Family), Amanda Laing (Mr Stink, The Merchant of Venice) and Hayden Rogers (The Secret Garden, Rent).

Following its world premiere at Sydney's Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre in April, Josephine Wants to Dance will tour 47 venues across Australia until October.

Tickets: $29pp, $104 Family of 4, $125 Family of 5, $25pp Groups of 10+ (no booking fees apply)

Bookings: www.monkeybaa.com.au or 02 8624 9340

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