Windmill Theatre Co revisits breakout hit in 2019 season

The much-loved Adelaide-based children’s theatre company will bring Girl Asleep back to a South Australian stage for the first time since its 2014 debut. Since its original run the play has taken out Ruby and Helpmann Awards before being adapted for the screen in 2015 as Windmill’s first foray into feature filmmaking.

A hit on the international festival circuit, the film continues to be discovered by audiences around the world after being picked up internationally by streaming giant Netflix. Its September Space Theatre run will give Adelaide audiences a rare opportunity to see the story onstage for the first time since its adaptation.

Girl Asleep‘s 2015 film adaptation

February 2019 brings the Australian debut of Baba Yaga, a darkly comic play that sees the nightmare-inducing witch of Russian fairytales transposed to a retro-futuristic setting replete with animations from former Adelaide illustrator Chris Edser. A collaboration between Windmill Artistic Director Rosemary Myers, Scottish theatre maker Shona Reppe and Australian writer, performer, and one third of the Kransky Sisters, Christine Johnston, the play was originally workshopped at Windmill’s Adelaide studios before appearing as part of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival this year. Baba Yaga will mark its Adelaide homecoming at Queens Theatre as part of the 2019 Adelaide Festival, before continuing on to China, Ireland and England.

One of the highlight’s of last year’s Windmill season will also return when the colourful puppetry of Beep makes its way back to Adelaide in 2019 as part of dreamBIG Children’s Festival. From the creative team behind of Grug, Beep tells a story of difference, friendship and acceptance with generous helpings of turquoise fluff and adorable performances. Presently touring through China, this short home encore comes just before Mort, Beep and their village journey east to the Sydney Opera House.

Baba Yaga
26 February – 6 March
Queen’s Theatre

Beep
29 May – 1 June
Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre

Girl Asleep
12 – 21 September
Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre

windmill.org.au

Main image:
Brett Boardman