Beetle
By Legs On The Wall
★★★★ “…a striking show which takes young viewers on an immersive journey into nature by fusing puppetry, physical theatre, circus, video projection, and set and costume design with seamless imagination.” – The Scotsman
See the magic of the Australian bush spring to life on stage this National Science Week!
Join Sally and her backyard friend as they encounter larger than life beetles, stick insects and bush critters on their quest to discover the now elusive Christmas Beetle.
A must-see feast for the senses featuring:
- Legs On The Wall’s signature mix of breathtaking physical storytelling;
- Narration by Wiradjuri woman and award-winning artist Vicki van Hout;
- Stunning animations of original artworks by beloved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood (recently shortlisted for the 2025 Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards for picture books Afloat and The Garden of Broken Things);
- Giant puppets and spell-binding visual effects;
- Incredible scenic art by Erth Visual & Physical Inc. (ARC, Dinosaur Petting Zoo) and Legs on The Wall.
A nostalgic and heartwarming tale of wonder and hope – Beetle is a reminder of the delicate balance of the natural works and the power of small voices to make change.
Audience Information
Suitable for: Ages 6 – 14 and their families (General Public) and Kindergarten – Year 8.
Duration: 50 minutes (No interval plus a free Q&A with the cast following the Friday matinee performance).
Please Note: This production contains flashing lights and haze.
Schools Bookings
Getting Here | Risk Assessment | Education Pack and Curriculum Links
Curriculum Links: Drama, Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Literacy, Science, Sustainability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
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Read the Reviews
“Legs On The Wall, the Australian theatre company behind Beetle, superbly blends a touching storyline with visual splendor… This is definitely the show of the Fringe that changed my perspective of the natural world.” – Playbill
Audience reviews:
“Hand’s down the best children’s show I’ve ever taken my daughter to! Funny, moving and beautifully done.”
“It was soooo brilliant!!! We LOVED it. Best thins I’ve taken the kids to hands down.”
“I learnt not to take seeds from the earth so more trees can grow and all the Christmas Beetle families can live there.” – Young Audience Member edeinburghfestivalsforkids
Meet the Cast and Creatives
Concept: Joshua Thomson
Creators and Directors: Joshua Thomson and Kate Walder
Illustrations: Freya Blackwood
Video Designer: Susie Henderson
Sound Designer: Luke Smiles
Composition: Jessica Dunn
Lighting Designer: Gareth Simmonds
Costume Designer and Creator: Melanie Gillbank
Cast: Christy Tran, Lloyd Allison-Young and Olivia Hadley
Voice of the Tree: Vicki Van Hout
Scenic Art: Erth Visual & Physical Inc. and Legs On The Wall
BEETLE is commissioned by the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) and The Art House — Wyong and was supported by Inner West Council. The 2025 tour has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the NSW Government through Create NSW.
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