Edward the Emu
Monkey Baa Theatre Company
Term 3
25 – 26 September 2024
In the Playhouse
Schools
Based on the books by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement
Written for the stage and directed by Eva Di Cesare
A Creative Learning Performance for students | Stages ES1 - 3 | Edward is bored with his lot. Being the only emu at the zoo has him feeling glum and thinking perhaps the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Is life more fun for the seals or the lions or the snakes? Join Edward on his grand adventure of self-discovery as he explores the world outside of his enclosure and makes a very special friend along the way, Edwina the Emu.
Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
| Date | Time |
| Wednesday 25 September | 10.30am, 12.30pm |
| Thursday 26 September | 10.30am, 12.30pm |
| Ticket | Price |
| Standard | $25 |
One complimentary teacher per class. Ratio required for supervision is 1 teacher per 15 students. The only authorised ticket agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Suitable for Stages ES1 - 3
This event is recommended for Years K - 6.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy
Run time
The duration of this event is 50 minutes, followed by a 10 minute Question and Answer session with the artists on stage.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Director & Writer
Eva Di Cesare
Set & Costume Designer
Isabel Hudson
Puppetry Director
Alice Osborne
Composer & Sound Designer
Nate Edmondson
Lighting Designer
Matt Cox
Resident Puppetry Director
Kailah Cabanas
Associate Sound Designer
Zac Saric
Assistant Director
Warwick Doddrell
Dramaturg Dramaturg
Sandra Eldridge
Illustrations
Rod Clement
Jackie French AMMonkey Baa’s work makes kids think as well as feel
Join Edward and Edwina on their grand adventure
Edward and Edwina are back! After enchanting over 50,000 young people across Australia, everyone’s favourite emus are returning to the stage. Adapted by Eva Di Cesare from Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement’s much-loved books, Edward the Emu is filled with love, laughter, and a lesson or two. Featuring exceptional puppetry, original music, inventive design, and thrilling storytelling, this show is full of hijinks and heart.
Edward is bored with his lot. Being the only emu at the zoo has him feeling glum and thinking perhaps the grass is greener on the other side of his fence. Is life more fun for the seals or the lions or the snakes? Join Edward on his grand adventure of self-discovery as he explores the world outside of his enclosure and makes a very special friend along the way, Edwina the Emu. On their heartwarming and hilarious journey, our feathered friends learn that the true secret to happiness is embracing who you are.
Presented by Sydney Opera House and Monkey Baa Theatre Company
About Monkey Baa Theatre Company
Monkey Baa Theatre Company creates and presents great theatre for young people. They collaborate with internationally acclaimed authors, award-winning creatives, and most importantly, imaginative young people, in bringing their shows to life.
Over 25 years, Monkey Baa has become one of Australia’s widest touring companies with 38 national tours to 135 regional and remote communities, 5 international tours and over 3500 performances reaching over 1.5 million young people.
The stories Monkey Baa shares embrace social and cultural connections, celebrate our rich cultural heritage and inspire young audiences to learn about the world and their place in it.
A Day Out at the House
Are you looking to extend your school excursion time onsite at Sydney Opera House?
For specific performances and workshops over the year we have combined a ‘performance/workshop’ with a walking tour of Sydney Opera House for a total 3-4 hour experience for your students at the House.
Ticket and Travel Subsidy
The Sydney Opera House is committed to providing the very best national and international performing arts experiences to NSW students as part of their educational studies.
The Sydney Opera House Arts Assist program provides the full cost of the Creative Learning performance ticket and $5 per student toward travel costs. School applications are assessed according to socioeconomic disadvantage, schools with special needs and individual responses regarding the School Profile and School Community.
The Sydney Opera House thanks and acknowledges our generous Arts Assist donors; The Greatorex Foundation and Sydney Opera House Ladies’ Committee.
Other information
Venue information
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
Frequently asked questions
We recommend your group arrives early at the venue, at least 45 minutes prior to the performance start time.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Occasionally this is not until the interval, and in some instances late comers won’t be admitted at all.
Please call Front of House on 02 9250 7134 to notify us if your group is running late.
The closest location to disembark from buses and coaches is on Macquarie Street. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street. There is no bus parking onsite at Sydney Opera House.
Circular Quay is the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. We recommend allowing 15 minutes to walk from Circular Quay for school groups. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please contact Transport NSW. Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on COVID-19 safety measures for public transport.
The safety and security of everyone visiting our site is paramount. We require all items larger than the dimensions of an A4 piece of paper to be cloaked. As our cloakrooms have limited space, we request that where possible teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks with them to the performance.
Yes. Please visit our Policies page for more information.
If your students are bringing a packed lunch, Royal Botanic Gardens adjacent to the Opera House is quite pleasant in fine weather. Alternatively, our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to kid friendly meals.
Food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but not in the venues.
Please contact our Creative Learning Ticketing Specialists on 02 9250 7770 as soon as possible to advise if your group can no longer attend. If your group can no longer attend because your school is located in a hotspot, or has had a positive case of COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
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