This year’s AWESOME Festival runs 27 September – 1 October and boasts a distinctly international flavour, as Festival Director Jenny Simpson welcomes back international companies to sit aside local legends.  

Now in its 26^th year, AWESOME Festival has been recognised by an international festival monitoring organisation as one of the top 25 events in the world for young people. 

Simpson is determined children and their families should have access to the best arts and culture experiences. The program boasts more than a dozen performance events, including theatre, dance, early childhood activities, music, film, literature, visual arts and creative hands-on activities, plus workshops and an education program. 

“AWESOME is about giving younger audiences opportunity to engage with high quality arts and creative experiences,” Simpson explains. “Everything is underpinned by the thought that children deserve the best.” 

An inclusive sensory forest adventure called Hu木an is the result of an international collaboration between The Artground, Singapore, and WA’s Sensorium Theatre. New Zealand group Trick of the Light Theatre will use storytelling, puppetry and projection in Tröll, described as a lo-fi wi-fi fable about a boy and his online adventures. 

The West Australian Opera is partnering with the Festival to premiere its second children’s opera, Our Little Inventor, created by local composer Emma Jayakumar, who is also behind the score for the WA Academy of Performing Arts’ ballet The Lost Little Llama. Other local favourites include Barking Gecko Theatre, which will present Cicada, and Flying Bicycle Collective’s Dreams of A Lonely Planet. Circus WA and Flipside Circus (WA) bring the story of youth hospice Hummingbird House to life in We Live Here.

Much of the action will take place at the State Theatre Centre of WA, where every square centimetre of the venue will be brought to life. Five shows are running there concurrently, plus free walk-up activities (circus, sculpture, drawing and paper installation). Wander through the building to discover free exhibitions such as Animals in Space by author/illustrator James Foley, watch artist in residence Tim Maley at work, see the mythical creature petting zoo Beasties and Mace Francis’ solar-powered music sculpture Music Mill.  

There’s so much to explore it can be hard to choose, so we asked Simpson to help out Seesaw readers. Here are her top four shows at AWESOME Festival:  

Creation Creation by Windmill Theatre  

Creation Creation is unlike any show you’re ever likely to see! Windmill Theatre tackle some of life’s big questions … as determined by children! From the absurd (Can you lick your elbow?) to the scientific (What’s inside a black hole?) and the meaningful (What’s it like to die?). The actors take these questions very seriously, and attempt to perform the answers. The result is hilarious, enlightening and, at times, very moving. Ages 8+ 

The Whale’s Tale by Born in a Taxi 

Otto the Blue Whale in the WA Museum Boola Bardip will play host to a nine-metre puppet version of himself in The Whale’s Tale. This hilarious physical theatre show invites the audience to explore all the things that might be making the big whale unwell. A team of children is even despatched to investigate the insides of the whale. What will they find? A lively and fun show with an environmental message for all the family.  Ages 3+ 

Seashore by Sally Chance 

We are thrilled to welcome Sally Chance back to AWESOME Festival with her new show Seashore. Sally is the leading practitioner in the world in making work for babies and their grown-ups.  This year Sally is collaborating with local families, who will help create elements of the show. Seashore is a playful exploration of the senses – breathe in the sea air, feel the sand between your toes and feel the gentle crash and pull of the waves. Ages 0-3 

Hu木an by Sensorium Theatre/The Artground  

This world premiere will be performed by its Singaporean cast at the Festival. Experience a luscious rainforest in an immersive tactile set, where beautiful live music and friendly performers create a delightful inclusive experience for children with access needs and their friends. In the magical Hu木an, a passing rain shower brings a surprise visit from the cheeky Gibbons. Feel the textured leaves with your toes and fingertips, smell the exotic flowers, play hide-and-seek with Hornbill, and help Kingfisher look after her eggs. Ages 4-8 

AWESOME Festival runs 27 September – 1 October at the Perth Cultural Centre. 

Pictured top: Circus performers bring the funny and moving stories of youth hospice Hummingbird to life in ‘We Live Here’.