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IMAGINE LIVE is a 60 minute stage adaptation of Alison Lester's award winning children's book, Imagine, a bestseller since its first publication in 1989.

“It’s about animals!”...'It's about Imagination!”...“It’s about our Home!”

Magical and meaningful, IMAGINE LIVE is a celebration of creativity, friendship and our precious natural world. With the help of the audience, performers play and sing their way through the pages of Imagine, and quickly discover there is WAY more to these pages than they first thought. Spot a leopard, dive with a dolphin or dig up a dinosaur as this iconic book springs into life before your eyes.

IMAGINE LIVE is an innovative artistically rigorous work using cutting edge body mapping digital puppetry, face recognition technology, animation, original music and participatory storytelling.

Underscored by a beautiful music score, characters and objects travel between real and animated worlds.. IMAGINE LIVE oscillates between Imagine's iconic natural environments and the playful home setting of the children. Projection screens work seamlessly with oversized props and puppets skillfully brought to life by live performers and digital puppeteer.The players use creativity to connect a long distance video call between a granddaughter and grandmother, enjoying a nostalgic connection with their favourite book, Imagine.

Relevant to both multi-generational and diverse audiences, the show is a reminder that connection, creativity and play are essential ingredients for positive mental health. IMAGINE LIVE’s deep environmental theme invites us to look beyond our backyards into a shared and richly beautiful world.

Building on the knowledge and success gained in the creation of Helpmann Award winning show, Robot Song, IMAGINE LIVE reunites the creative team Ashlea Pyke, Nate Gilkes, Phillip McInnes and welcomes Eliza Hull as an Access Inclusion Consultant to create an experience that is as enjoyable as it is transformative. 

Age Recommendation: 4 - 10 years olds and families.

“It’s EXQUISITE! So rich, real, layered and perfect for kids. I kept having to pinch myself that
Imagine was my book, I feel so honoured.”
- Alison Lester, Author of ‘Imagine’

“Imagine Live is a delight! With incredible puppetry, mesmerising visuals and a stunning score,
my friends and I – and more importantly their children – laughed, clapped, yelled at the stage
and left with huge smiles on our faces!”
- Meg Deyell, Service Manager - Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool

“Great show. So beautiful. Our Children loved this.” - Audience Member

“The set was lovely. Such a beautiful story.” - Audience Member

“The best I have ever seen! Loved everything about it.” - Audience Member

Produced by Jolyon James and NCM

Co Producer Geelong Arts Centre and Supported by Creative Australia.

Associate Producer Riverside Theatres, Parramatta and Mornington Peninsula
Shire.

Touring supported by Creative Victoria.
'This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.'