STILL AWAKE STILL!
“And it’s impossible not to be charmed by the clever blend of comedy and song, which celebrates in the zaniest possible way the playfulness of children, while giving them a rather sophisticated glimpse into the world of music.”
Cameron Woodhead THE AGE
“Still Awake Still! one of the most precious children’s shows I’ve ever seen. Gypsy and her mates in raptures.”
Kate Cebrano
The legendary Miss Ivory Tinklefinger, Queen of Sleep has the absurd task of singing the audience to sleep. On a magnificent grand piano, she proudly performs her lullabies. However, not only does she fail to put a single child to sleep, she also conjures two mischievous, and very musical boys from the heart of the piano. What’s happening? Who is in control here? And can she resist the temptation to join in?
Still Awake Still! is a funny, anarchic, musical theatre work with irresistible child-appeal and a level of sophistication that delights adults. It’s gloriously unpredictable, with the glamour of a big night out, and mayhem worthy of the Marx Brothers.
Part-concert, part-theatre, the entire show emerges like magic, from beneath the lid of an ingenious grand piano set. It features superb live acoustic music and comic acting set within a rich visual world.
Inspired by parents’ daily challenge of putting their little ones to bed, Still Awake Still! explores the tussle between order and chaos, rest and play, reason and intuition, in a drama that celebrates the process of creativity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Devised by Jessica Wilson with the collaborating artists
Inspired by songs from the book I’m Still Awake, Still!
by Elizabeth Honey and Sue Johnson
Produced by JUMP LEADS & Jessica Wilson
DEVISOR / DIRECTOR: Jessica Wilson
MUSICAL DIRECTOR / COMPOSER: Sue Johnson
LYRICIST: Elizabeth Honey
PERFORMER DEVISERS: Carolyn Connors, Dan Witton and Renato Vacirca
DESIGNER: Jonathon Oxlade
PREMIERE LIGHTING DESIGNER: Phil Lethlean
TOURING LIGHTING DESIGNER: Sam Doyle
COLLABORATING WRITER: Jim Lasko
DRAMATURG: Julianne Obrien
2014 TOURS PRODUCED BY: Jessica Wilson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Rosalind Price
2011 AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE SEASON PRODUCED BY: Rosalind Price and Sharon Seyd
This project was commissioned by Sydney Opera House, and supported by Allen & Unwin, Arts Centre Melbourne, Betty Amsden OAM, City of Melbourne, and the State Library of Victoria. Its national and international tours were assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its funding and advisory body through the Going Global and Playing Australia programs
SEASONS
Still Awake Still! premiered at the arts centre melbourne in 2011, and in 2014 toured the usa including the New Victory Theatre in New York, and undertook a 25-venue tour across Australia.
New Victory Theatre, NY, USA 2017
IPAY Showcase, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 2017
The Samueli Theatre, Segerstrom Centre, USA 2017
Walton Arts Centre. Fayetteville, USA 2017
Sydney Children’s Festival, New South Wales 2014
Out of the Box Children’s Festival, Queensland 2014
Adelaide Cabaret Festival, South Australia 2014
Colac Performing Arts Centre, regional Victoria 2014
Geelong Performing Arts Centre, regional Victoria 2014
Newcastle Civic Theatre, New South Wales 2014
Tamworth Capital Theatre, New South Wales 2014
Dubbo Regional Theatre, New South Wales 2014
Centre of Contemporary Arts, Cairns, Queensland 2014
Riverway Arts Centre, Townsville, Queensland 2014
Matt Dunn Cultural Centre, Port Headland, Western Australia 2014
Margaret River Cultural Centre, Western Australia 2014
Mandurah Arts Centre, Western Australia 2014
Devonport Performing Arts Centre, Tasmania 2014
Theatre Royal, Hobart, Tasmania 2014