Words: Michelle Jamieson

Performed in the beautifully decked out House of Oz auditorium, Beetle is an Australian tale that
follows the story of a child who finds a Beetle in her backyard and together they embark on an
adventure.

With excellent animation, sound and lighting effects, we explore the life of a tree, meeting
animals from different times and places. Where we sometimes lack in structure and story,
the animation is where the production really excels. When animation is paired with harness
skills we get some really effective moments in the show, particularly the moment where we
see the child running on the tree. There is also an enchanting use of lights and sound when
the beetle tries to fly and when the moon travels through the audience above children’s
heads.

There is something wonderful at the end of the show where the actors come into the
audience and offer a chance for the children to get up close to the animals they met in the
show.

If you’re looking for an interactive high energy show, this is not the one, but if you are after a
gentler, more visual piece, this might just be it. A nice introduction to the magic of theatre, with messages of nature, climate and our ecosystem.

Beetle
House of Oz, The Great Indoors
11.00
7-9, 11-12, 14-16, 18-19, 21-23, 25-26 Aug