19 February 2018
The Stage is Set for Non-Stop Family Fun
Auckland Live Kids 2018
March - December 2018
Dinosaurs from the deep, a Mad Hatter, a band of brothers who transform into superheroes and a purrfectly charming
pussycat are just a few of the magical and much-loved characters that will be entertaining youngsters across Tāmaki
Makaurau as part of Auckland Live Kids 2018.
The annual Auckland Live Kids programme has today been unveiled and features a line-up of shows overflowing with adventure, fun and laughter for kids
of all ages curious to experience the thrill and excitement of live theatre, dance, music and arts throughout the year.
From March to December, the programme of more than 25 shows, events and workshops will take place at Auckland Live
venues including Auckland Town Hall, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, Aotea Square, The Civic, Bruce Mason Centre, and
Māngere Arts Centre.
Launching the programme is the highly anticipated Auckland Arts Festival co-presentation Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium. The thrilling show dares young people to experience underwater creatures like never before, in a performance taking them
to the bottom of the ocean to ‘swim’ with an amazing array of prehistoric deep sea reptiles. A ground-breaking virtual reality experience will deepen the fun for those willing to take the plunge.
Next, top New Zealand dancer Justin Haiu delivers LOLs for littlies in the heartwarming tale of a band of brothers in
pyjamas, The Perfect Gift, during the April school holidays.
In June, three curious characters spread joy and charm whilst learning it’s okay to be different in Capital E’s Odd One Out.
Come the chill of winter, weekends will be warmed by the return of perennial favourite Auckland Live Pick & Mix, this year celebrating a decade of free performances and workshops by some of the best New Zealand performing arts
companies. As part of the party, don’t miss the Kids Takeover Weekend, where children will have the chance to help put
the show together. The full Auckland Live Pick & Mix programme will be announced in June.
For the July school holidays, the most misunderstood character in fairytale history will get his time to shine in
Australia’s award-winning Windmill Theatre Company’s very funny (and not at all scary!) tale Big Bad Wolf.
Later in the year, an underground jazz club for kids will be the setting for Edward Lear’s classic, The Owl and the Pussycat, retold in a mix of cabaret, music and clowning by Laurel Devenie’s (Shortland Street) Company of Giants.
The historic Auckland Town Hall will be transformed into a musical cinema when The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child play on the big screen, accompanied by live music performed by Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Kids young and old will love the journey through the elements in Air Play, an enthralling spectacle that tips gravity on its head with an out-of-this-world story filled with wonder, beauty and
awe.
And for a full dose of reality-bending fun, the wild and wacky world of the March Hare, Cheshire Cat and Queen of Hearts
will be served up at the Bruce Mason Centre following a sell-out season at Sydney Opera House! This Alice in Wonderland-inspired Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, complete with its own themed pop up cafe, will be madcap and mischievous and where young party guests can expect acrobatics, circus, singing, dancing and roller
skating - and did we mention fun?
Also returning is the much in demand series, A Day at Auckland Live, offering free, full-day sessions created especially for primary and intermediate school students, and led by
professional musicians, singers and dancers.
Auckland Live programmer, Janelle Bish, says Auckland Live Kids 2018 reflects some of the very best New Zealand and South Pacific live arts experiences available for children today.
With its mix of free and family-friendly events, the 2018 programme will help bring the transformative world of live arts to more families and whanau throughout the year, and create
opportunities for people of all ages to engage with the arts.
#AucklandLiveKids
ENDS