Grand Soft Day

Four figures stare forward in a forest-scape.
  • Kids & Families
  • Musical Theatre
  • Theatre
  • Australian premiere
  • Wild Things
  • Playhouse
  • Run time: 45 minutes, no interval Subject to change
  • Seating map

Four seasons – one day

Ireland | United Kingdom

Splashing in puddles, wind whipping your hair, crunching snow under your feet and rain dripping on your nose — now that's a grand soft day! Grand Soft Day is a curious and charming show that celebrates the wonder of the world around us.

Grand Soft Day follows three friends who go on an adventure in the woods, but the weather keeps disrupting their plans. The rain comes. Then the wind blows them off course. The sun distracts them, while the snow has them hiding in their coats. Can the trio continue to play under these circumstances?

Mainly wordless, the performance is brought to life by a live percussive soundtrack of catchy rhythms and three languages, English, Irish and Italian, woven throughout. With a sprinkle of rain, a dusting of snow and a gumboot dance, children will delight in the wonder of the natural world all around them.

For a deeper experience, on Friday 9 October, after the 12:30pm show, join the cast for a discussion about Grand Soft Day. Young audiences can ask the artists questions and hear about the inspiration behind the show.

Kindly supported by Culture Ireland. Commissioned by The Ark, Dublin and created with support from the Arts Council of Ireland, Arts Council of England, Galway City Council and Foras na Gaeilge.

Sydney Opera House presents a Branar and New International Encounter (NIE) production

Event details

This joyful show… Fizzes with invention

The Irish Times

It’s not often that we get two giants of theatre-making for children from Europe in the one project, but with Grand Soft Day we do!

Why the Wild Things Festival Curator loves this show

Meet the cast

Headshot of Helen Gregg

Headshot of Jonathan Gunning

Headshot of Greg Hall

Headshot of Linda Scaramella

About Branar

Branar is one of Ireland’s leading theatre companies making work for children. Based in the West of Ireland, Branar is renowned for creating highly imaginative and beautiful work. The company tours nationally and internationally, bringing its work with equal enthusiasm to leading arts venues such as the South Bank Centre, London as to a local school in Galway, Ireland. Branar is committed to reaching its audience, wherever they are. Branar’s aim is to install not just wildness inside us but wonder, joy, curiosity and compassion.

About New International Encounter (NIE)

Established in 2001, New International Encounter (NIE) is an international theatre company that creates award-winning shows and participation projects with young people through a mix of physical theatre, multiple languages, live music, storytelling and a European ensemble. The core of the group is made up of 20 artists from Norway, the UK, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain, Denmark and France. NIE create spellbinding theatre, which has been performed over 25 countries spanning 4 continents, from New York to Shanghai, Berlin to Sydney.

Credits

Director Alex Byrne
Director Marc Mac Lochlainn
Composer Greg Hall
Set Design Orla Clogher
Lighting Design Trui Malten
Costume Design Elaine Mears
Technician Michael Foley
Stage Manager Debbie Wright
Set Builder Ciaran Kelly & Tony Read
Line Producer Niamh Ní Fhlatharta
Marketing and Admin Assistant Noel Minogue
Producer Joanne Beirne
Producer Cat Moore

Attending this event

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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.

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