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.


July 03 2024

Paper Planet at Kids Takeover: After Dark

Paper Planet is a universally accessible experience that families find utterly captivating.

A Paper Planet production photo. A Polyglot performer and a child sit in a forest of tall brown cardboard trees, adorned with paper plants and creatures. They look around with paper binoculars. Other performers, children and families are visible amongst the trees, creating and playing. Photographer: Sarah Walker

Presented by State Library Victoria

Children and families are invited into a forest of tall cardboard trees and after exploring the space, they add to this strange and delicate planet using only paper, tape and their imaginations. Theatre and play merge in this magical place, as creatures, plants, costumes, characters, stories and adventures spring to life.

Paper Planet grows as more families visit, and every session is truly unique as imaginations go wild. Children choose how they interact with the performers and with other children; some children find themselves absorbed in quiet making, and others prefer to play and explore.

Paper Planet is child-led, deeply involving and highly sensory, and sure to delight the whole family.

“This has been an incredible journey.” Child, age 8

Venue

Date and Session Time

  • Wednesday 3 July, 6:30-9:30pm

SOLD OUT. Free. Registration is required. Book here.

General Access

  • State Library Victoria is open 10am-6pm seven days a week. Admission is free.
  • Refer to the State Library Victoria Website for a library map, with translations in Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese.
  • The Digital Lab in the Create Quarter is available as a quiet space during the Kids Takeover: After Dark event.

Entrances

State Library Victoria is wheelchair accessible.

  • Swanston Street Welcome zone: Use the ramp at La Trobe Street near the corner of Swanston Street
  • Russell Street Welcome Zone: Use Entry 5 via La Trobe Street near the corner of Russell Street

Toilets

  • The Children’s Quarter, Level 2 (ground floor), has separate male, female and accessible toilets. There are also joint facilities for carers and children.
  • Unisex accessible bathrooms are located behind the lifts/stairs beside the Create Quarter, and at the end of Hansen Hall near Mr Tulk Café.

Wheelchair access

  • Swanston Street Welcome Zone: use the ramp at La Trobe Street, near the corner of Swanston Street.
  • Russell Street Welcome Zone: use Entry 5 via La Trobe Street, near the corner of Russell Street.
  • A courtesy wheelchair is available for visitors attending Library events and exhibitions. Courtesy wheelchairs can be booked by contacting the Access and Inclusion Librarian. More information is available on the State Library of Victoria website.

Further access information is available on the State Library of Victoria website.

Paper Planet

  • Children and families choose how they interact with the performers and the space.
  • Paper Planet is a universally accessible experience. There is no English language barrier, and it can be entirely non-verbal.
  • You can come and go from Paper Planet at any time during Kids Takeover.
  • Paper Planet incorporates a soundscape through speakers embedded in the set.
  • A visual story to help your family prepare for the experience is available here to view/download.
  • Polyglot Theatre staff are trained in disability and cultural awareness. If you have any questions about Paper Planet, please contact us on 03 9826 3301 or info@polyglot.org.au.

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.

Family Access

  • Wheelchair-accessible toilets with children’s and carer’s facilities are located in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter on Level 2 (Ground Floor)
  • Prams, strollers and bags with items for babies or young children can be brought into the Library.

Baby Change Facilities

There are two baby change facilities located on Level 2 (Ground Floor):

Food and Drink

  • Food and drink for babies and toddlers are welcome in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter. However, food is not allowed in the library apart from select areas such as the Swanston Street Welcome Zone, Russell Street Welcome Zone and Hansen Hall.
  • Bottled water is generally allowed in main public areas apart from the Heritage Collections Reading Room.
  • Families are welcome to BYO food and drinks for picnicking on the lawn.

Refreshments

  • Mr Tulk Café is located at the La Trobe Street entrance of State Library Victoria, open 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm Sat-Sun.
  • Guild Café in the Russell Street Welcome Zone is open 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3:30pm Sat-Sun.

Getting There

Bus

  • Melbourne Central/Lonsdale St (Zone 1) services bus routes 200, 200-207, 207, 250, 250-251, 251, 302, 302-304, 303, 304, 305, 309, 318, 350, 905, 906, 907, 908.
  • Facilities include: pay phone, lighting.

Train

  • Melbourne Central Station is directly opposite the Library’s Swanston Street entrance (900m approximately).
  • Facilities include: lighting, escalator, Hearing Loop, lift, stairs, Tactile Ground Surface Indicator, accessible telephone, accessible toilet, pay phone, indoor waiting area, sheltered waiting area, kiosk, passenger information display, toilets, CCTV.

Trams

  • Melbourne Central Station/Swanston St #8 (Zone 1) services tram routes: 1, 16, 3-3a, 5, 6, 64, 67, 72.
  • Facilities include: lighting, Tactile Ground Surface Indicator, accessible ramp, myki machines.
  • Swanston St/La Trobe St #6 (Zone 1) services tram routes: 30, 35.
  • Facilities include: lighting, payphone, myki machines, myki Money Quick Top Up and Enquiry Machine (QTEM).

For more information on public transport in Melbourne, visit the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website.

Bicycles

  • There are separated bike lanes in both directions on Swanston and La Trobe streets. You’ll find bike racks on and near the corner of Swanston and La Trobe streets, Swanston and Little Lonsdale streets.
  • Visit the City of Melbourne website for more information.

Parking

Meter Parking

  • There is no on-site parking available. There is paid street parking on La Trobe Street.

Melbourne Central

QV Melbourne

  • QV Parking is accessible from entrances on Lonsdale Street, Russell Street and Little Lonsdale Street.
  • Over 1500 spaces
  • Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • 2.1m maximum vehicle height

Accessible Parking

  • There are three two-hour disability-permit parking spaces in La Trobe Street, outside Mr Tulk.
  • There are two 2-hour disability-permit parking spaces in Little Lonsdale Street, between Swanston and Russell streets (outside the Wheeler Centre).
  • Visit the City of Melbourne website for more information on accessible parking, including a parking map.

Don’t be late for a very important date at State Library Victoria this winter. See the Library transform into a night-time wonderland just as the clock strikes 6:30pm.

Get loud at the Library after hours in this special winter edition of Kids Takeover. Explore dance raves, illuminated art, torchlit tours and so much more after sunset as you experience an unmissable night of play in one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings.

All activities are free and run all evening unless otherwise stated.

Book your spot now.

Watch the trailer

Contact

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