When the World Turns

• When the World Turns is an interactive theatrical production created specifically for children with complex disability (who often face the most barriers to access) and their families or teachers/carers.
• In a performance for families, the audience is comprised of up to eight family ‘pods’ (groups) each made up of between two and five people. Family ‘pods’ can include a mix of adults and children from a single family and must include at least one child with complex disabilities and one adult.
• In a performance for schools, the audience is comprised of up to eight ‘pods’ (groups). Each pod can allow up to two students from the same school and one or two of their teachers or support people.
• When the World Turns asks our audience to be participants in the work and this means adults as well as children. In the show, the audience won’t be in a traditional ‘audience’ seating arrangement. Instead, they will be surrounded by the world we have created and right in the middle of action and atmosphere.
• When the World Turns begins at home or in the classroom, with a sensory package delivered for families or classes to explore together. Inside is a simple creative kit and a short audio experience, designed to spark magic and connect with the natural world they will encounter in the show. The package will also include a visual story, which will provide information about the venue and what will happen when audiences arrive and during the performance.
• When the World Turns contains low theatrical lighting, light and shadow, amplified music and sound effects, a variety of plants and foliage, and use of naturally scented sprays.

• Co-directors: Sue Giles AM, Ellie Griffiths
• Eco scenography: Dr Tanja Beer
• Sound design: Steph O’Hara (Aus), Max Reinhardt (UK)
• Lighting design: Richard Vabre
• Dramaturgy: Kate Sulan, Arti Prashar
• Original Australian cast: Clement Baade, Tirese Ballard, Lachlan MacLeod, Kuda Mapeza, David Pidd
• Production manager: Hannah Murphy
• Stage manager: Kaite Head
• Producers: Rainbow Sweeny (Polyglot) and Zoë Lally (Oily Cart)

When the World Turns has been created via a remote collaboration online; each team working in their local context when possible, then sharing results. The final creative development before the premiere season took place in-person at ArtPlay.

Original creative development teams

• Australia: Ashlee Hughes, Sylvie Meltzer, David Pidd, Leisa Prowd, Afsaneh Torabi, Jen Tran, Kate Sulan, Rawcus ensemble
• UK: Greta McMillan, Nwando Ebizie, Andrea Carr, Rhiannon Armstrong, Xavier Velastin, Emily Nicholl, Claire Willoughby
• Creative Advisor: Dr Jill Goodwin

Community collaborators

• Australia: ArtPlay families, Coburg Special Development School, Glenroy Specialist School, Hume Valley School
• UK: Linden Lodge School, The Bowen family, the Li family, the Murphy family
• Artwork by Greta McMillan was created during the research and development in the UK. Greta is a climate activist and her video work can be seen here.

2023

• Bunjil Place, VIC, Australia

2022

• Premiere: Arts Centre Melbourne, VIC, Australia

When the World Turns, a collaboration between Polyglot Theatre (AUS) and Oily Cart (UK), was originally commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne for major arts and disability festival Alter State 2022. The development and premiere was supported by the UK/Australia Season Patrons Board, the British Council and the Australian Government as part of the UK/Australia Season, with further support from the Cassandra Gantner Foundation, State Trustees Australia Foundation, the Jennifer Prescott Family Foundation, the Marian and E.H. Flack Trust, ArtPlay, Arts Council England and ecoDynamics.