Join us these September School Holidays for the ‘A to Z’ in family fun with the captivating production of Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard! at The Joan.
To make your trip to the theatre more memorable, we have partnered with our friends from Q Theatre, QBD Books and Penrith City Libraries to bring you some exciting pre- and post-show activities.
Scroll down to find out more and plan an entertaining day out with your friends and family now!
‘D’ IS FOR DRAMA
ALPHABETICAL SYDNEY: SHOW AND WORKSHOP PACKAGE
SUITABLE FOR AGES 5 – 10
Inspired by Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti’s best-selling picture book, get ready for an immersive adventure of a lifetime! From the amusement park to our world-famous zoo, this new musical combines puppetry, theatre, songs, creative play and irresistible music to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the beloved book and the ‘A to Z’ of things that make our spectacular city iconic.
Make it a memorable day out and enhance your theatrical experience with our show and workshop package! This special offer includes a ticket to a performance of Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard! at The Joan and a one-hour post-show alphabetical inspired, drama, puppetry and storytelling workshop suitable for ages 5 – 10.
Dates & Times
Choose from:
- Friday 29 September: 10am – 11am (Show) and 11:30am – 12:30pm (Workshop); or
- Saturday 30 September: 10am – 11am (Show) and 11:30am – 12:30pm (Workshop).
Tickets
Children – Show and Workshop Package $35
Adults – Show Only (Standard Ticket) $25
A booking fee of $5 applies
Please Note
You are welcome to wait for your children outside the room the workshop is taking place in. All children must be accompanied to the theatre to see the show by a parent/guardian 18+ with a valid Standard Ticket. Standard Tickets can be purchased for adults and any additional children not participating in the workshop at the time of purchasing a Show and Workshop Package.
Location
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith (Map)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A SHOW AND WORKSHOP PACKAGE NOW
SHOW ONLY
SUITABLE FOR AGES 4+ AND THEIR FAMILIES
If a show and workshop package do not fit in your schedule, there is no need to miss out on all the fun – you can choose to book to see the show only!
Dates & Times
Friday 29 September at 10am
Saturday 30 September at 10am & 12:30pm
Tickets
Standard Ticket $25, Family of Four Pass $90
A booking fee of $5 applies
Please Note
Infants aged under two do not require a ticket to attend performances at The Joan provided they can sit on a parent’s lap.
Location
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith (Map)
PLEASE NOTE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Friday 29 September 6pm performance has been cancelled. Ticket holders will be contacted by Box Office to organise a ticket exchange, refund or credit.
‘W’ IS FOR WIN
COMPETITION TIME
To celebrate Alphabetical Sydney coming to life on stage at The Joan these Spring School Holidays (29 – 30 September), we have eight copies of the 10th anniversary edition of Alphabetical Sydney to give away! Six copies will be given away to our Early Bird Ticket Competition winners and two will be awarded to the winners of our Photo Competition.
Valued at $24.99 RRP each, these books have been generously donated by our friends at NewSouth Books.
Enter both of our competitions to increase your chances of winning!
- EARLY BIRD TICKET COMPETITION
For your chance to win, simply purchase a show and workshop package or a ticket to any performance of Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard! at The Joan before 5pm, Friday 22 September and you will automatically be entered into the draw!
Click Here to BooK YOUR TICKET TO GO INTO THE DRAW NOW
CLICK HERE FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- PHOTO COMPETITION
We are inviting you to share a photo of your favourite place in Western Sydney! This could be your local park, your own backyard, a sports field or an iconic location.
Take a photo of yourself in front of your favourite place in Western Sydney and then share your snapshot on social media using the hashtags #TheJoan and #AlphabeticalSydney and tag us on Instagram @the_joan or Facebook @JoanSutherlandPerformingArtsCentre.
Hurry – Competition closes 5pm, Sunday 1 October 2023.
CLICK HERE FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
‘B’ IS FOR BOOKS
QBD BOOKS POP UP BOOK STORE
Visit our friends from QBD Books at our Merchandise Stand on Level 1 of The Joan (just outside the doors to the theatre) before and after the performances to take home a piece of memorabilia!
QBD Books will be selling copies of the 10th anniversary edition of Alphabetical Sydney and other titles by Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti, as well as a range of Australian themed pictured books and assorted Australian soft toys.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Alphabetical Sydney (10th Anniversary Edition) by Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti – Hardcover Book | $24.99 |
| Summertime by Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti – Hardcover Book | $14.99 |
| Numerical Street by Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti – Hardcover Book | $14.99 |
| A is for Australia by Frané Lessac – Hardcover Book | $12.99 |
| Welcome to Country by Jo Murphy and Lisa Kennedy – Hardcover Book | $12.99 |
| I’m Australian Too by Mem Fox and Ronojoy Ghosh – Hardcover Book | $12.99 |
| Assorted Australian Animal Soft Toys | Prices Vary |
Location
Merchandise Stand, Level 1,
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith (Map)
‘D’ IS FOR DRAW
ILLUSTRATOR WORKSHOP WITH ANTONIA PESENTI
SUITABLE FOR AGES 8 – 12
Join illustrator and book creator Antonia Pesenti (Alphabetical Sydney, Numerical Street) for this interactive workshop suitable for ages 8 – 12. During the session you will have the opportunity to experiment with collage and drawing techniques inspired by her award-winning children’s picture book Alphabetical Sydney.
Date & Time
Thursday 28 September, 10:30am – 11:30am
Tickets
$12 per child
Location
Penrith City Library, 601 High Street, Penrith (Across from The Joan – Map)
Tickets will go on sale at the link below at 9am on Friday 1 September.
Click Here for More Information and Bookings
‘I’ IS I-SPY
FREE ACTIVITY
SUITABLE FOR AGES 5 – 12
Drop into Penrith City Library these Spring School Holidays to play an Alphabetical Sydney inspired game of I-Spy! Pick up your Alphabetical Sydney I-Spy Activity Sheet from the front desk at the library, then follow the instructions to find all of the items in the cabinet that represent the different letters of the alphabet.
Dates & Times
Saturday 23 September – Monday 9 October, during library open hours – Click here for details
Location
Penrith City Library, 601 High Street, Penrith (Across from The Joan – Map)
‘R’ IS FOR READ
POP UP LIBRARY
Drop by the grassed area between The Joan and Penrith City Library to join the friendly team from the library for outdoor alphabetical inspired story time, collage craft, face painting and giveaways!
Date & Time
Friday 29 September 9:30am – 12pm
Tickets
Free event, no bookings required
Location
The Mondo (Grassed area between The Joan and Penrith City Library)
‘C’ IS FOR COLOUR
GET CREATIVE WITH A COLOURING-IN SHEET
Loving all things Alphabetical Sydney? Colour your world and get creative with this free colouring-in sheet!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COLOURING-IN SHEET
SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW
Tickets to Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard! are selling fast! Plan your day out with your friends and family and book your tickets to the show now! Get even more out of your experience with our special Alphabetical Sydney: Show and Workshop Package for just $35.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS
Thanks to Our Partners
Proudly Supported by Celestino
Images
Alphabetical Sydney: Illustrations by Antonia Pesenti