Nationally applauded Robot Song coming to MAC
Published on 28 June 2019
Described as both “laugh-out-loud hilarious” and “poignant” and “compelling”, Arena Theatre Co’s Robot Song will feature at Mildura Arts Centre (MAC) next week during the July School Holidays.
Robot Song is a deeply personal story that shares an honest, intensely funny and often unconventional window into writer-director Jolyon James’ experience parenting a child on the Autism Spectrum.
It will be performed at MAC at 5.30pm on Wednesday 3 July.
Billed as a genuine family show, Robot Song incorporates ground-breaking live animation technology, allowing digital characters to interact real-time with audiences, providing a unique, never-seen-before experience at MAC, all set to a beautiful original musical score.
As part of the experience, a giant robot – Battletac – comes to life on stage through the combined efforts of main character Juniper and live singing from the audience.
Councillor for Arts and Culture Jason Modica said that while the performance was targeted at young people aged 8 – 12, it was a show that would appeal to the whole family.
“We’re so fortunate to be able to host a performance like Robot Song in our part of Victoria by a theatre company with an enviable record for touring high quality theatre productions for young people across the country,” Cr Modica said.
He said Robot Song was a unique performance, able to explore the complex nature of parenting, while at the same time managing to remain light-hearted and entertaining for young people, allowing them to celebrate and discuss their own experiences of ‘difference’.
There will also be an opportunity at the end of the show for young people to have their photo taken with Battletac.
Robot Song has drawn widespread praise from critics across the country, including the ABC’s Fiona Parker, who described the performance as:
“At times laugh-out-loud hilarious, Robot Song is also a poignant, compelling story that covers topics young people would do well to be exposed to, without straying into being patronising or syrupy. Gorgeously told and superbly crafted, one minute I was laughing at poo jokes and the next I had tears in my eyes. A must-see for young people growing up in a world where bullying is widespread but who need to understand that differences should be seen as an asset.”
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au