Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard!
Book and Lyrics by Hilary Bell. Music by Greta Gertler Gold. Created by Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell.
We are excited to announce 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 about our special Show and Workshop Package deal and click here to discover the full program of events!
Hop aboard the tour bus and get ready for an immersive adventure of a lifetime!
Inspired by Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti’s best-selling picture book, your guides, the chaotic Ibis and order-loving Nanna, will take you on a whirlwind journey around Sydney, one letter at a time.
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.
Audience Information
General Public: Suitable for ages 4+ and their families.
School Holiday Groups: Suitable for Vacation Care, Preschool, Childcare, OOSH and Home School Groups (Early Stage 1 – Stage 2) and their supervisors. Please scroll down for school holiday groups booking information and resources.
Duration: 60 minutes (No interval).
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.
SHOW AND WORKSHOP PACKAGE
SUITABLE FOR AGES 5 – 10
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.
Dates & Times
Friday 29 September, 10am – 11am (Show) and 11:30am – 12:30pm (Workshop)
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
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.
- Key Info:
- Dates & Times
- Tickets
- Accessibility
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.
SHOW AND WORKSHOP PACKAGE
Friday 29 September, 10am – 11am (Show) and 11:30am – 12:30pm (Workshop)
Saturday 30 September, 10am – 11am (Show) and 11:30am – 12:30pm (Workshop)
SHOW ONLY
Friday 29 September at 10am
Saturday 30 September at 10am & 12:30pm
Watch the Trailer
PlaySchool Holiday Groups Bookings and Resources
Key Information
This production is based on the book Alphabetical Sydney by Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell, which features on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Booklist. Click here to find out more.
When: Spring School Holidays (Friday 29 September – Saturday 30 September 2023).
Age Suitability: Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard! is recommended for vacation care, preschool, childcare, OOSH and home school groups (Early Stage 1 – Stage 2) and their supervisors/teachers.
Duration: This production runs for 60 minutes (No interval).
Free Additional Extras and Resources
Curriculum Links: Click here to download the Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard! NSW State Curriculum Links.
Online Media Resources: Stay Tuned – This will be available to download from here closer to the production season in early 2023!
Plan Your Excursion
Getting Here
Click here for information about our venue and getting here.
Risk Assessment
Click here to download The Joan’s 2023 Risk Assessment.
A Handy Guide to Attending the Theatre
Click here to download our guide with handy tips to discuss with your group prior to attending an excursion at the theatre.
Booking Form
To book this production for your vacation care, preschool, childcare, OOSH or home school group, please fill out the booking form below.
More Information
Meet the Creatives
Book and Lyrics Hilary Bell
Music Greta Gertler Gold
Audio engineering and co-production of music tracks Adam Gold
Director Liesel Badorrek
Production Designers Isla Shaw and Antonia Pesenti
Video Designer Mic Gruchy
Lighting Designer Benjamin Brockman
Creative Play Antonia Pesenti
Puppetry Director Alice Osborne
Puppetry Designers Isla Shaw and Antonia Pesenti
Musical Director Maria Alfonsine
Puppets Produced by Erth Physical & Visual Inc.
Keyboards Barney McAll
Costume Supervisor Rebecca Jones
Wigs Martelle Hunt
Meet the Cast
Nanna Deborah Galanos
Ibis Nat Jobe
Ensemble Maria Alfonsine and Petronella van Tienen
Read the Reviews
“Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard is a truly immersive theatre experience for the whole
family and the children in the audience were enthralled by the twists and turns of the
story and really enjoyed the interactive parts.”
– Weekend Notes
“…a superb mix of puppetry, theatre, songs and creative play. My littles were laughing
from the start and loved every opportunity to interact with the actors on stage.”
– Three Little Hines
“The incredible humour, dance, singing, stagecraft, digital visuals had the audience
jumping from their seats… the joy of celebrating our kids is glorious. The musical
‘Alphabetical Sydney’ is BRILLIANT.”
– Susanne Garvey, Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and CBCA NSW
Gallery
The Prices and How to Save
Don’t miss out on our Early Bird Discount of 10% if you buy before 1 January 2023.
See more and save! In 2023, we are offering a pick-and-mix package discount of between 10 and 20% depending on how many shows you select.
- 3 shows – 10% off all tickets
- 5 shows – 15% of all tickets
- 8 shows and more – 20% of all tickets
Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard! was developed with the support of the City of Sydney, the NSW Government through Create NSW, City of Parramatta Council and Riverside Theatres. This production is supported by the Australian Government through the RISE (Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand) Fund, and the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
