Erth’s Dinosaurs

Term 2

  • Schools
  • Theatre
  • Creative Arts
  • Science and Technology
  • Sustainability
  • Playhouse
  • Run time: 70 minutes, including 15 minute Q&A Subject to change
  • Seating map

A close encounter of the prehistoric kind

From the visionaries who have redefined live dinosaur performance for over 35 years comes a towering, pulse-pounding adventure! Erth’s Dinosaurs blends puppetry and science to ignite wonder, deepen understanding of evolution and adaptation, and offer a powerful reminder of Earth’s ancient history with a vision for the future—all delivered with fun, facts and a few friendly roars.

Embark on a jaw-dropping prehistoric adventure where dinosaurs rule the stage in Erth’s Dinosaurs. Designed to thrill, educate and spark curiosity, Erth’s Dinosaurs invites students on an unforgettable journey into the world of ancient creatures.

On stage, expert puppeteers bring life-sized dinosaurs to life with astonishing realism—stomping, roaring and moving with surprising personality. Using a clever mix of live performance and real-time video feed, the show creates the illusion that these giants of the past have returned.

Students witness fascinating behaviours, explore the science of paleontology and come face-to-face with creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The performance includes gentle audience interaction, humorous narration and visual storytelling that makes science feel like an adventure!

This performance can be booked alongside the workshop Puppetry Construction with Erth.

What to expect

The show combines small and large puppets with lots of colour and textural materials, roving performers and puppeteers, interactive elements, sound effects, music, low-dark and coloured lighting.  

Students will experience:  

  • Video through animations and live-projections showcasing what’s on stage and in the audience.
  • Performers using hand manipulated puppets and full-body dinosaur costumes.
  • A combination of live puppetry, screen close-ups, and real-time narration.
  • Set design that grows and evolves just like a real habitat.
  • Lots of colour, texture, movement, coloured light.
  • Sharp teeth, scaly skin and looong tails!

Subject areas: Science, Geography, HSIE, Creative Arts, Drama, Visual Arts, English, History.

General capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Sustainability.

Key themes: Evolution, adaptation, curiosity, scientific discovery, the relationship between humans and nature, and the power of storytelling in learning about the past, indigenous folklore, sociology and urban mythology.

Sydney Opera House presents an Erth Visual & Physical Inc. production

Event details

A delightful and educational date with the dinos.

The Chicago Tribune (USA)

About Erth Visual & Physical Inc.

Erth is a company fuelled by beautiful accidents; a team of creators, makers and performers pushing the limits of design, content and experience.

For over thirty-five years Erth’s puppetry-based theatrical productions and innovative community projects have challenged and inspired audiences around the world, driven by a special interest in natural history, First Nations stories, sociology and urban mythology.

Today the company is recognised internationally as an innovator of physical and visual theatre, and a creator of brave, unbridled work for children.

In addition to touring the world with their long-running shows Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo and Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium, the company’s ongoing push to explore boundaries and devise new work has seen the commissioning of The Liminal Hour and Winter Camp at Barangaroo for Vivid Sydney 2018 and 2019. Erth have also explored the realm of virtual reality, and the development of ARC – an expansive, collaborative, multi-year, cross-platform work which explores preciousness and conservation.

Cast and creatives

Artistic Director
Scott Wright 

Head of Design
Steve Howarth 

Writer
Scott Wright

Dramaturg
Alana Valentine 

AV Design
Solomon Thomas 

Sound Design
James Brown

Production Manager
Rick Everett

Producer
Stephanie Liebeck

Executive Director
Scott Andrew

Join our family of teachers and educators

Hear about upcoming performance and workshops for schools, along with the latest digital resources for students and teachers.

Sign up to our newsletter

Excursions at the Opera House

A Day Out at the House

A full school day experience of creative learning with a performance or workshop and Sydney Opera House tour.

Arts Assist

Does your School need financial assistance to attend a Sydney Opera House excursion?

Schools Tour

Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, students join a guided tour to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture.

A young girl wearing a school uniform stares out a window in a Sydney Opera House foyer. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is seen in the background.

Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Playhouse

The Playhouse is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

Checking availability