Acknowledgment of country

Polyglot acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and create, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. For more than 65,000 years, children and families have created and played here, and we are grateful to make our art on this country too.

October 22 2023

Bees at Wyndham City Children’s Week Picnic

Bees is a joyful interactive work in which children are welcomed into a world of community, communication, wonder and imagination.

An outdoor Bees production photo. A Polyglot artist in an intricate black and yellow bee costume crouches on a green lawn. A small child, holding their parent's arm, looks at them intently. Other families are visible in the background, and the grassy area is surrounded by trees. Photographer: Theresa Harrison

Explore a buzzing, humming hive of activity, as three human-sized Bees busy themselves in the creation of a community alongside children who transform into bees as they play. The bees are fascinating, strange and beautiful, traversing invisible pathways and mapping delicate patterns across the performance space.

Inspired by the mysterious life and work of bees, this re-imagining of public space involves the slow uncovering of an intricate unseen world. Children are immersed in the sounds, shapes and scents of the bee world, from their familiar buzz to honeycomb houses. Bees uses ritual, non-verbal communication and the secret world of bee movement to provide a range of access points for children to participate.

Venue

Session Times

  • 10.30am
  • 11:30am
  • 1:30pm
  • 3:00pm

Although the Children’s Week Picnic is free, a ticket is required for entry. Tickets will be available from the Wyndham City website from 9am Monday 2 October. This event WILL sell out.

wyndham.vic.gov.au/childrensweekpicnic

  • Bees will take place outdoors, on lawn. Please check the weather and bring sunscreen, hats and water.
  • All abilities access is provided throughout the park. Paths throughout the formal gardens are level granitic tracks.
  • There will be a Chill-Out zone with quiet, low-sensory activities on offer for participants needing time out from sensory stimulation.
  • Accessible toilets will be located near the main stage.
  • Families are invited to create and play on the lawn for Bees. Seating is not generally provided, but please contact Wyndham City beforehand or see staff on the day if you have specific access requirements.
  • A Children’s Week Picnic Social Story is available to view/download HERE.
  • Parks Victoria have created a video about access at Werribee Park: https://youtu.be/wwduIQ170i4
  • Highlights from the 2022 Children’s Week Picnic: https://youtu.be/p4D3wk2gF2w
  • A Children’s Week Picnic Event Program and FAQs is available to view/download HERE.
  • For any questions about accessibility at Children’s Week Picnic, please contact events@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Bees

  • Children and families choose how they interact with the performers and the landscape. Some participants may prefer a gentle experience, others may be more energetic.
  • Bees does not use bright or flashing lights.
  • Bees contains amplified sound and music that is played through portable speakers.
  • A visual story to help your family prepare for Bees is available to view/download HERE.

 

How to prepare

  • When you come to a Polyglot show we recommend you wear comfortable clothing that allows you to enjoy moving. Remember that you have come for an adventure and there are many ways to begin finding your play. You are curious and this space is yours. Just as you might at the beach, do you take your time and dip your toe in to warm up, or do you run and jump right in? The worlds we set up welcome you to take your time and find your own way to your imaginative play; and our performers are there to join you, or play alongside you, and look after these worlds and their inhabitants.
  • Baby feeding and nappy changing will be located within the Australian Breastfeeding Association marquee. Accessible toilets will also be equipped with change tables.
  • Hand Wash Stations will be available.
  • Water, infants’ bottles and breastfeeding/chestfeeding are welcome, but we do ask that there is no eating in the Bees performance space where possible.
  • You are welcome to BYO food and drinks – picnicking is encouraged.
  • There will be a variety of food trucks providing various sweet, savoury and drinks (including dietary and children’s options) for purchase onsite. Cashless payments are recommended wherever possible. Please be aware there is NO ATM onsite this year
  • A water fountain will be available to fill up water bottles.
  • There will be limited seating at the event, you are welcome to bring your own picnic chairs and rugs. For safety reasons, shelter structures are not permitted.
  • Prams are allowed in all areas of the park apart from inside Werribee Mansion.

Public Transport

Shuttle Bus

There will be a shuttle bus provided by Wyndham City from Werribee Station to Werribee Park. Please check the Wyndham City website closer to the date for more information.

Parking

  • There is free parking on site and event traffic management systems will be in place. Please follow all road and traffic detours and respect traffic and parking officer’s instructions to ensure you safely arrive and exit the event. Wyndham City appreciates your patience and suggest that you allow extra time to get to and from the event.

Bus/Train

  • Take the Werribee line train to Werribee Station, then take bus route #439 to Werribee Park.

Werribee Station facilities and accessibility

  • Pay phone Carpark
    Sheltered waiting area CCTV
    Bicycle rack Lighting
    Kiosk Stairs
    Parkiteer bicycle cage Tactile Ground Surface Indicator
    Passenger Information Display Accessible Parking
    Toilet Accessible Toilet
  • To contact Werribee Station directly, please call (03) 9610 8063.
Pack the picnic blanket and join in all the fun at the greatest family outdoor event in the west – the Children’s Week Picnic!

This much-loved free Wyndham City event will be held on Sunday 22 October at Werribee Park, with music, games, sport, market stalls, food trucks and more!

Tickets for this free event are essential and will be available online from 9am, Monday 2 October.

This year’s event will feature a fantastic line up of performances and activities including family
favourites The Teeny Tiny Stevies, side-splitting comedy from The Listies and The Scientwits, Polyglot Theatre’s playful, buzzing Bees, Bollywood dance and loads of fun in the See Make Play marquee and Active Kids Zone. 

New this year is the H2O Arena, featuring the theatre-based Super Amazing Dolphin Show along with opportunities to learn about local waterways and keeping safe around water.

Bookings are essential for this event and ticketholders who can no longer attend are asked to cancel their booking so that other families can enjoy the experience.

wyndham.vic.gov.au/childrensweekpicnic

Watch the trailer

When

22 Oct 2023

Session time

10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:00pm

Cost

FREE

Venue

Werribee Park, Werribee South

Age

  • Children and families

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Access Wheelchair Access
  • Accessible Toilet Accessible Toilet
  • Visual Story (Yes) Visual Story (Yes)
More info & bookings

Contact

Polyglot Theatre

Contact

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