World News – AU – Award-winning Emmy television series Bluey takes the stage for its cinema debut

Bluey – the popular, award-winning ABC children’s television series – is set to make its theatrical debut in Brisbane tonight.

After seven months of delay due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bluey’s Big Play, The Stage Show, is finally opening in the Playhouse theater as part of the Out of the Box festival at the Queensland Performing Arts Center (QPAC). .

Developed by the Windmill Theater Company, the show is believed to be the first premiere of a professional play in a full-capacity theater around the world since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March.

The theater adaptation brings the TV characters Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli to life with huge puppets.

Production will continue until 10. January at QPAC before a national tour of 50 cities begins.

Bluey’s Big Play features an original story by series creator Joe Brumm with new music by composer Joff Bush.

Director Rose Myers said it was testament to the production team’s determination that the show could get going during a public health crisis.

« We actually started work on the show in March, ready to premiere in May, but like the rest of the performing arts industry, the show has closed, » Myers said.

« We started in Melbourne, then moved to Adelaide and there was the outbreak and we moved the rehearsals to Canberra so it’s been quite a trip. « 

Deputy Prime Minister Steven Miles, who was attending today’s rehearsals with his six-year-old daughter Bridie, said it was appropriate for the Brisbane-themed show to premiere in Queensland.

« Brisbane is taking advantage of how well we’ve done this year, and now our little ones are just as excited to see Bluey, » said Miles.

« It’s almost certainly the first premiere of a theatrical production in a busy theater around the world, and it’s very exciting to have our beloved Bluey. « 

Bluey’s Big Play presented a new challenge to writer Brumm, who had got used to creating seven-minute animated stories for television.

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« The guy is an absolute genius . . . he’s written 104 episodes and they’re all just awesome, « Myers said.

« He has now put his hand on writing a 40-minute play for the stage. He’s so smart and exactly how he embodies family life and the joy of it. « 

Myers said the show will strike a chord at a time when society is struggling amid the pandemic.

« In COVID times, this era really highlighted what our family means to us.

« It’s a really contemporary look at the family, but it’s full of joy and full of fun and imagination. « 

Both the theater and the puppets are thoroughly cleaned after each show in accordance with coronavirus hygiene standards.

Two casts have been rehearsing Bluey’s Big Play to meet the strong demand in cities where 100 percent capacity is still not allowed in theaters.

Ms. Myers said a world stage tour was a future possibility given the international popularity of the Bluey TV series.

She said that meticulous care was taken in attempting to bring an animated series into a 3D world.

« When we developed the theater production, we really knew we had to deliver all of the things that people love about the show on stage, » Myers said.

« We have developed some incredible puppets and trained an amazing cast with a combination of puppeteers, dancers and actors who bring the puppets to life.

« There is a great responsibility in taking something as beloved as Bluey and bringing it to an audience. « 

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Bluey, Premiere, Brisbane, Queensland Performing Arts Center