We’ve discovered eight fabulous kids shows that are coming to The Art House stage in Wyong in 2022. From classics like The Owl and the Pussycat to the comical genius of Andy Griffiths’ Treehouse series, there’s something for all age groups. And best of all, you don’t have to travel to Sydney to see great stage productions and soak up a bit of culture. The Art House brings world-class theatre to the Central Coast, and we’re all for it!
Oh, and don’t forget that you can use your Dine and Discover vouchers when booking any of these shows, whether you’re booking online or in person.
“Amphibian” at The Art House
Scratching your head about what to buy your teens? Get them tickets to Amphibian. It’s aimed at a high school audience, and is a moving story about friendship, loss and adapting to different worlds. You’ll meet Hassan, a young boy who fled Afghanistan and travelled alone across land and sea for a better life. You’ll also meet his classmate Chloe, who’s also facing life as the new kid, just in a different way. What follows is two people reaching between cultures to find common ground and understanding. It’s based on the real-life stories of refugees and is a powerful way to get teens thinking about one of the world’s most pressing issues.
Gift it to: All the teens you know.
When: Wed 16 Mar, 7pm, and Thu 17 Mar, 10am and 12pm.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $35 | Concession $30 | Members $25 | Under 30 $25 | School Groups: $20. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 12+ and their families. Show contains adult themes and use of theatrical haze.
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
“Guess How Much I Love You”at The Art House
If this book is on bedtime repeat in your house, you need to see this show! You get to follow Little and Big Nutbrown Hare as they’re introduced to the magic and colour of the new seasons while they use larger and larger measures to show how much they love each other. Expect music, lots of laughs and to be captivated by the large puppets used in the performance. It’s seriously too cute!
Gift it to: Littles who haven’t been to the theatre before, and anyone who loves The Gruffalo, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Spot.
When: Thu 17 Mar, 10am and 6pm, and Fri 18 Mar, 10am.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $25 | Child $20, Family of 4 $75 | School Groups $15. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 3+ and their families
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
“Beep”at The Art House
Kids will be drawn in by Beep’s gorgeous stage design (look at those trees!) then hooked by the story. This one is all about three big things in any child’s life: finding where you fit in, learning to be flexible, and friendship. It’s set in Mort’s Village where everything is always the same and no one seems to mind. That’s until Beep, the noisy robot girl, shows up to shake things up and find her home.
Gift it to: The robot obsessed, or anyone who would appreciate a shorter theatre experience (this show runs for 35 minutes).
When: Tue 10 May, 10am and 12pm, and Wed 11 May, 10am.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $20/ Child $12 / Family $56 / School $12. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 2-7 years and their families.
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
“The 13-Storey Treehouse”at The Art House
Mini bookworms may think they know this story, but this show brings the ultimate Treehouse plot twist! Andy and Terry are all set to put on their very first play, but they, err, forgot to write it. Awkward! Where will they find flying cats, a giant gorilla and a whole host of other weird and wonderful creatures to help bring their stories to life? This show has run before with sold-out seasons across the country and is back by popular demand, so you know it will be incredibly good!
Gift it to: Andy Griffiths fans, or a child with a huge imagination.
When: Mon 30 May, 6pm, and Tue 31 May, 10am and 12pm.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $25 | Child $20, Family of 4 $75 | School Groups $15. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 6-12 years and their families.
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
“The Owl and the Pussycat”at The Art House
Ready to sail across the sea for a year and day to fair Bong-tree Bay? The stage production of this childhood classic is beautiful and will be loved by kids and parents alike. You’ll be swept up in the songs, puppetry and interactive theatre. That’s right, the audience is invited to join in through various musical and multi-sensory ways to help the owl and the pussycat get to their destination!
For the ultimate experience, there’s even an accompanying music workshop where you can play percussion instruments and explore the show’s themes of harmony, adventure and acceptance. This is only available with the Tuesday 12 July show and you can book that one here.
And if you’re heading along to one of the Wednesday 13 July shows, there’s a free origami boat-making workshop at 11am to get you into the spirit of things!
Gift it to: Animal lovers, Peter Rabbit fans, or families who have been reading this story for generations.
When: Tue 12 Jul, 6pm, and Wed 13 Jul, 10am and 12pm.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $20 | Child $15, Family of 4 $60 | Vacation Care Groups $12 | Tuesday Show and Music Workshop $20. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 4-10 years and their families.
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
“Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus”at The Art House
There’s mischief, there’s mayhem, there’s music! This show tells the story of Mozart, known as Wolfgang to his friends and family, and is a mashup of comedy and music with a circus twist. It feels (and looks) a bit like a giant party! Expect tumbles and crashes, cool acrobatics, daredevil artists and an accordionist. It’s definitely a treat for the ears and the eyes, and you might even learn a thing or two about the man behind some of the world’s most famous musical pieces.
Gift it to: Musical kids, or anyone who’s dreamed of running away to join the circus.
When: Wed 20 Jul, 6pm, Thu 21 Jul 10am and 1pm, and Fri 22 July, 10am.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $18 | Child $15, Family of 4 $58 | School Groups $12. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 3+ and their families.
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
“There’s a Sea in My Bedroom”at The Art House
As kids, we spent many moments with our ears to conch shells listening to the ocean because of this book, so it’s exciting to be able to share its magic with the next generation. With a stunning score and a captivating story, There’s a Sea in My Bedroom is jam-packed with fantasy and emotion as David conquers his fear of the sea. You’ll be happy, sad, scared, amused… Yep, it’s a rollercoaster – and one you’ll love to ride.
Gift it to: Children who spend their weekends at the beach, or those who saw the Magic Beach production and raved about it.
When: Tue 2 Aug, 10am and 11.30am, Wed 3 Aug, 10am and 11.30am.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $20 | Child $15, Family of 4 $56 | School Groups: $12. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 2-8 years and their families
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
“Edward the Emu” at The Art House
Combining the stories of Edward the Emu and Edwina the Emu, this show will take you into the mind of a very bored bird. To shake up his life at the zoo, he breaks ranks and goes off in search of some fun, finding Edwina on the way. You’ll get to see a pair of emus working through existential crises, zookeepers wondering what went wrong and trying to restore order, plus incredible puppet creation and costume designs.
Gift it to: Future zoologists or those who have seen Diary of a Wombat on stage.
When: Mon 14 Nov, 6pm, and Tue 15 Nov, 10am and 12pm.
Where: The Art House, Wyong.
Cost: Adult $25 | Child $20 | Family of 4 $75 | School Groups $15. Children up to the age of two years are free of charge if seated on the lap of an adult. Children two years and over must have a ticket purchased for them.
Age group: Recommended for kids aged 4-10 and their families.
Contact: (02) 4335 14485 / thearthousewyong.com.au
Happy holidays!
Written By: LOUISE MEERS
Writer
Louise spent a decade in the publishing industry writing for children and was the editor of K-Zone magazine prior to moving to the Central Coast in 2018. These days you’ll find her wrangling her toddler at playgrounds all over the Coast, and creating content from a cosy corner in her living room.
