Patch's 2024 Program

January 23rd, 2024

Message from Artistic Director Geoff Cobham

2024 is another massive year for the team at Patch. We are especially excited to premier Superluminal, an immersive work for children in collaboration with the South Australian Museum.

The process of making Superluminal has involved our amazing team of creatives working with the super brainy people at the South Australian Museum. It has been a delight watching the show develop – we have especially loved the involvement of young people in the research and development phase.

All our works have a strong collaborative component. We work with an ever-growing list of makers, actors, composers, engineers, technicians, writers, dancers, scientists, professors, and children. This rich diversity of talent is the key to creating new and relevant arts experiences.

Authentic play and respect for wonder and awe remain at the heart of all our work. Most importantly, our design- led process involves input from children at all stages of development, to remind us what the truth of play really is.

Our in-school program allows us to interact with teachers and students in a more collaborative and intimate way. Working alongside educators as we develop and present our Spark program has been a great experience, and the responses to the program have been fantastic.

In 2024 we will travel to all corners of Australia and parts of Asia as our incredible teams do what we do best: deliver innovative, design-rich, child-centred art experiences to our favourite people – 4 to 8 year olds.

Geoff Cobham
Artistic Director, Patch Theatre

Photo: Matt Byrne

I Wish...

Australian Tour

I Wish… is an exciting collaboration between two internationally renowned South Australian companies – leaders in children’s performance Patch Theatre and boundary-pushing circus company Gravity & Other Myths. Featuring gravity-defying acrobatics, captivating visuals, and playful humour, I Wish… is an unforgettable live performance experience.

We can't wait to share I Wish... with audiences across the country over 12 weeks of national and regional touring. I Wish… will be presented in 18 venues alongside a substantial community outreach program in Tasmania and Northern Territory, in partnership with Corrugated Iron Youth Arts.

“I Wish… is a visually stunning spectacle of lights, circus feats and self-exploration.” Play & Go

National tour
Nunawading, VIC – The Round – 5 Apr 2024
Sydney Opera House, NSW – 10–14 Apr
Launceston Central, TAS – 17 & 18 April
Burnie Arts, TAS – 20 April
Hobart, TAS – Theatre Royal – 23–24 April
Aug–Sep dates and venues to be announced

SA School performances
Port Pirie – 20 Aug
Whyalla – 22 Aug
Renmark – 27 Aug
Mt Gambier – 30 Aug

ZOOOM

International tour

Following its sold-out international tour across the United States and Canada, ZOOOM will light up stages in Auckland and Hong Kong. We can’t wait to share this visually spectacular work with a new generation of children across the globe.

Using original music, lasers and projections, ZOOOM brings the audience on a sensational adventure throughout the universe to help a lost star return home..

“Just loved it, very high quality and extremely engaging. The children could not take their eyes off the stage.” Teacher

International Tour
Auckland Arts Festival, New Zealand – 8–10 March
West Kowloon, Hong Kong – 23–24 March

Superluminal

Adelaide premiere at the South Australian Museum

A theatrical installation full of Patch’s renowned interactive light play, Superluminal investigates nature’s extraordinary creatures, systems and beauty, and how time shapes them.

Superluminal blends bold visual design, collaborative storytelling and interactive play to create an engaging interactive installation. Guided by performers, children are invited to explore light, time and the wonders of nature, fostering a sense of magical connection and belonging in the world.

1 Jul – 9 Aug – Adelaide, South Australian Museum

More dates to be announced in April 2024

Spark

We continue to bring the magic of theatre to South Australian classrooms with Spark – a series of interactive in-school arts experiences. In each Spark session, an artist invites students to shape the experience, providing unique, student-led creative learning.

We have two Spark experiences available for booking in 2024: Once Upon a Jar and Glow & Tell

Year-Round – Regional & Metro schools , SA
Throughout the year – regional SA tours

Spark: Glow & Tell

An interactive light-filled storytelling adventure.

Using UV light, in a custom-built tent, the classroom is transformed into an intimate performance space, where stories and imagined worlds come alive as glowing drawings appear on the walls and floor.

There are two versions of Glow & Tell, created by artists Edgell Junior Edgell and Evyenia Stefanidis – each version shares a unique story exploring themes of family and culture.

“They loved hearing about Edgell's life and experiences and were filled with wonder at the way he was able to tell his stories with pictures drawn on the floor and tent." – Teacher

Spark: Once Upon a Jar

Students are invited to choose their own adventures in whimsical storytelling experience Once Upon a Jar.

A special visitor arrives in the classroom with a suitcase full of old gifts – some mysterious jars from birthdays long past. Each jar contains a distinct smell and countless story possibilities. Students shape the narrative, bringing their far-fetched ideas to life, before embarking on a treasure hunt to find the most mysterious smell of all.

“Such a gorgeous show. I really loved the experience of viewing it. All the children were delighted, surprised and engaged." – Teacher

See some of our 2024 plans!

More to come...

We have more exciting show and tour date announcements to come! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.