Skip to main content
First Nation dancers under a starry sky.

Saltbush

14 - 17 April 2023

In the Studio

An interactive journey through First Nations culture

Join two friends and their spiritual guide, as they cross Australian landscapes – river country, an urban landscape, a desert, and the sea. Experience the wonder of Australia through impressive light projections and digital technology.

Children’s theatre doesn’t get any better than this. This inspired array of Italian and Aboriginal artists is the perfect fusion of dance, art and breathtaking digital design.

Sunday Mail

Discover the land, the sea, and everything in between

Through its use of sensors and infrared cameras, Saltbush allows young audiences to interact, play and perform in the show. The Saltbush journey is one of discovering the land, growing an understanding, and acknowledging how it shapes and inspires personal journeys.

Saltbush is a plant that can be found across Australia and many First Nation countries and is used by diverse First Nations peoples as food, medicine & for agricultural purposes. This shared idea acted as a point of inspiration for the narrative, contemporary painting, dance, and instrumental music created by First Nations artists and collaborating Australian and Italian Artists.

TPO’s award winning artistry in multi-media theatre for young people is combined with the work of acclaimed First Nations artists - Lou Bennett (music), Delwyn Mannix (visual art), Deon Hastie (choreography) with TPO company members including  Spartaco Cortesi (music), Anna Balducci (dancer), Elsa Mersi and Rossano Monti (designers) Davide Venturini (Director) and Australian artists Sasha Zahra (dramaturgy) Jason Cross (Director).

Sydney Opera House Presents an Insite Arts and Compagnia TPO production of Saltbush.

Photography by Tiffany Garvie (Gunggari)

Other information

You may also like

The Twits

5 – 19 Jul 2025

Ages 5+ | Roald Dahl’s gruesome twosome The Twits arrive on stage to delight and disgust, in equal measure. Proudly brought to you by multi-award-winning Shake & Stir Theatre Co.

  • Kids & Families
  • Theatre
Two cartoon characters stand together. One wears a purple outfit and holds a paintbrush dipped in yellow paint; the other wears green, leans on a cane, and has messy hair. The background is bright green.

Operation Ouch

20 & 21 Jan 2025

Ages 5+ | TV’s favourite doctors return to Australia this January with a gigantic brand-new show. Join the twins on a dino-mite adventure to unearth the most dangerous, most powerful, most important fart in history—the Jurassic Fart!

  • Kids & Families
  • Theatre
Two men and a skeleton look surprised. There are dinosaurs and mist in the background.

Grug and the Rainbow

11 – 22 Dec 2024

Ages 2+ | In a magical adaptation of Ted Prior’s beloved picture books, Grug and the Rainbow sees our grassy little friend embark on an epic adventure to bask in the colours of the illusive rainbow.

  • Kids & Families
  • Theatre

Checking availability