Regions

Curiosity! Choice! Wonder!

What’s inside the Wonderbox?

Sensorium Theatre – Australia’s only theatre company making work specifically designed for young audiences with disability and their friends – invites children to roll the dice and set out along a safe, exhilarating pathway into the unknown.

Inside a giant puzzle-box of illusions, kooky-carnival friends with magic in their pockets lead audiences into an immersive multi-sensory wonderland of fantastical large-scale projections, strange tiny delights, and infectious live music. EVERY child’s curiosity is celebrated and rewarded with wondrous surprises. As boxes reveal boxes within boxes each child is given the opportunity to find a magical version of themselves.

Inside the Wonderbox, micro moments of whole worlds in a matchbox lead into macro universes where EVERYONE, their face reflected in the stars of the Milky Way, is invited to be wonderful!

Every aspect of the show has its audience in mind and, considering the different needs that any given audience might have, this is a huge challenge. It’s also really important to rise to this challenge. With Wonderbox, Sensorium Theatre does just that. This production is a beautiful example of the inclusive potential of live theatre.”

Seesaw Magazine (Perth Festival 2023 Premiere)

Get the digital app

Enhance your child’s experience by using WONDERBOX’s online preparatory materials available through our FREE digital app. These resources familiarise children with the story, characters, songs and storytelling methods, resulting in a more enjoyable show experience.

Credits

Co-Artistic Directors
Michelle Hovane & Francis Italiano

Director & Designer
Francis Italiano

Assistant Director
Michelle Hovane

Musical Director & Composer
Jamie David

Songwriting and Additional Composition
Rebecca Bradley and Jamie David

Dramaturgs & Devisors
Francis Italiano, Michelle Hovane, Rebecca Bradley, Jamie David, Daisy Sanders

Movement Director
Daisy Sanders

Rehearsal Director
Ella Hetherington

Costume Designer & Associate Set Designer
Amalia Lambert

Headpiece Design & Construction
Mand Markey

Costume Construction
Ellen Flatters

Lighting Designer
Lucy Birkinshaw

Audio Visual Designer & Projections
Roly Skender

Creative Coder & Technical FX
Steve Berrick

Performers
Jamie David
Bec Bradley
Rachael Woodward
Gabriel Critti-Schnaars
Joanna

Production Manager
Ben Nelson

Stage Manager
Catherine O’Donoghue

Produced by Performing Lines WA

Information for Presenters

We are currently seeking presentation partners for 0ur 2024-2025 national tour.

Recommended age
8yrs+

Audience size
Up to 15 children, plus their carers, for a maximum of 30 people per show (usually a 1:1 ratio)
This show has been created for children with all abilities and is fully accessible for those with wheelchairs.

Schedule
Monday: Travel
Tuesday: bump in + professional dvp
Wed – Sat: 2 shows per day + bump out

Touring requirements
Touring party: 6 performers, 2 crew
Bump in: 8 hours (3 crew)
Bump out: 6 hours (3 crew)
Space: Preference rehearsal or large room (L: 14m x W: 10m x H: 4.6m)

 

Jeremy Smith Senior Producer
Joo Tan Associate Producer

Presentation History

2023
Perth Festival
Perth, WA
Awesome Arts Festival
Perth, WA

Project Partners & Acknowledgements

Wonderbox has received significant public and private support including the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body; the WA Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; Cassandra Gantner Foundation, Wind Over Water Foundation, the Australian Culture Fund, Spinifex Trust, JEM Foundation and Arts Impact. The world-premiere of the work was commissioned and presented by Perth Festival. Wonderbox is produced by Performing Lines WA.

 

Images by Jessica Wyld
Promo video by Edwin Sitt

In everything we do, we acknowledge that we live on Aboriginal land and constantly learn from the wisdom of First Peoples.

Where we are and the history that precedes us informs how we work and how we move forward.