Showcasing Australian creativity on the world stage

February Company Update

In our 46^th year, Polyglot Theatre is once again set to share our unique, participatory performances with children and families globally, showcasing Australian creativity on the world stage. 

We return to Hong Kong in late March for the international debut of Pram People (Hong Kong Edition). This is a bilingual version of the colourful, immersive spectacle that first delighted local families, premiering at Melbourne Museum for Melbourne Fringe in 2022.

Pram People (Hong Kong Edition) is co-presented and co-produced by WestK and Polyglot Theatre, and will premiere at WestK FunFest, a brand-new participatory arts festival for families of all constellations. It features a soundscape that incorporates personal stories in Cantonese and English from Hong Kong families. The debut season is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Earlier in the month, Pram People will tour interstate, with the Western Australia premiere presented by Joondalup Festival.

March also sees our beloved Play Space Paper Planet return to North America for the first time since 2019. Seasons are being presented by Segerstrom Center for the Arts in California, and Tempe Center for the Arts in Arizona. This follows a two-week season of Paper Planet at Sydney Opera House last year, programmed as part of the 50^th birthday celebrations for the iconic venue.

Paper Planet. Photos: Katje Ford, courtesy of Sydney Opera House.

The return to international touring has been invigorating for Polyglot Theatre. In 2023, we toured to Canada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Norway and USA, and delivered the international premiere of Come Back Home, commissioned by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore, and created in collaboration with artists in both countries. Polyglot also toured nationally, in Victoria, and at home in Melbourne/Naarm. With a total annual audience of more than 39,000 people, 80% were able to access our work for free.

2024 marks Cat Sewell’s second year as Artistic Director, alongside Kath Fyffe, Executive Director, as co-CEO. Development has commenced on a major new performance work set in a forest, and Polyglot’s explorations at the intersection of arts and health outcomes will expand under Cat’s creative leadership.

She writes, “We love the adventure of touring, getting to meet children and families in so many places, bringing moments of joy, connection and wonderful bursts of play and participation. It is a privilege to learn from and experience the impact of Polyglot’s work in communities across the globe. I’m especially looking forward to being there in person for the opening of the Cantonese/English version of Pram People in Hong Kong!”

Thank you

Pram People (Hong Kong Edition) is co-presented and co-produced by WestK and Polyglot Theatre. The original development of Pram People was supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative, and the City of Melbourne through the Arts and Creative Investment Partnerships fund and ArtPlay. Polyglot Theatre is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.