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.

Show

Ants

Ants is an interactive performance which brings children together to explore the landscape around them.

An outdoors Ants production photo. A Polyglot artist in an intricate Ant costume crouches in front of a child, offering them a giant breadcrumb. They are surrounded by lines of crumbs, and blue sky and tall buildings are in the background.

Ants as big as humans work together intently, collecting and placing hundreds of giant bread crumbs, and children are irresistibly drawn closer to find out how they can join in. Gradually a world of meaning unfolds, with children’s movement making lines and patterns, transforming public space and disrupting the everyday. Children choose how they interact with the big insects, becoming Ant-like creatures themselves and taking part in their world. This is an enchanting and unusual experience that everyone can enjoy at their own pace.

“It made you think deeply at little things.” Audience member aged 10

  • Ants is a universally accessible experience. The performers do not use spoken language – there is no English language barrier. 
  • Children and families choose how they engage with the performers and the space, moving around as they like.

Ants was originally commissioned by Fed Square and premiered in 2012.

Watch the trailer

Duration

30 minutes, up to 4 times per day

Crew

3-4 x performers
1 x production

Setup

Bump in and perform on same day (2 shows max on first day) or half-day bump in the day before

Venue

Ants does not have spatial boundaries and works well in large public spaces (both indoors and outdoors)

Capacity

Unlimited – conducted in open public space

Booking enquiry
+61 3 9826 3301
  • I had the most delightful experience with the Polyglot team. Everyone rallied together to produce a wonderfully enchanting production for our patrons. Your team brought great enthusiasm and professionalism to each performance… I hope to work with you again in the future.

    Madison Square Park Conservancy, USA

  • The Ants team was a joy, and the children who participated loved it (I know because my own daughters had the pleasure of scampering around with them).

    Ann Arbor Summer Festival, USA

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