Patch's 2025 Program

March 19th, 2025

A message from the Leadership Team

In 2025, we and the Patch team are over the moon to be sharing our interactive performances, experiences and workshops with children across Australia and overseas.

Our three program streams – in-theatre, in-school and interactive installation – allow us to present our work in many different scales. From a 20-student classroom experience to a theatre performance to 800 children, we use various forms of technology to tell stories and allow children to create their own using our innovative methodology.

Patch Theatre has pioneered an interactive installation style, creating immersive worlds for children to inhabit. Performing to only 30 children at a time makes the work far more meaningful. It gives children agency and allows Patch Theatre to take productions further afield.

Thanks to new presentation partnerships (many years in development), this year we have secured a number of international touring seasons including ZOOOM entering its fifth year on the road, remounting festival favourite The Lighthouse in Taiwan, and the Wonderverse tour which will be our first time taking an installation work to regional SA for families along with our regular school audiences to enjoy in partnership with Country Arts SA.

But we are also busy behind the scenes this year as we enter a new collaborative phase in creating our next work. Building on the massive success and demand of Patch’s current interactive installations, a dynamic team of local, culturally diverse and First Nations artists will explore and extend existing design, technology, concepts and ideas throughout this creation. Keep an eye out for news and updates on this exciting new production.

While a very different year lies ahead to the last, the incredible audience response to our new style of work has given us great confidence and excitement to tour and share the diversity of our current repertoire with wider audiences nationally and internationally.

Geoff Cobham, Sasha Zahra and Penny Camens
Artistic Director, Creative Producer and General Manager

Photo: Morgan Sette

Superluminal

National tour

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.

“Superluminal is all kinds of magical.” Parent

4 January - 2 February: Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney

21-30 March: Queensland Museum, Brisbane

Photo: Matt Byrne

Sea of Light

Local and national tour

More than 76,000 participants have experienced Sea of Light since it’s premiere in 2021!

With a UV torch as your paintbrush, paint and stencil your own voyage and steer ships that leave glowing paths of light in their wake in this immersive family experience featuring artworks by contemporary Aboriginal visual artist Elizabeth Close.

“I want to live in here forever.” – Child

4–28 January: ILA, Adelaide

17-25 January: Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra

Photo: Morgan Sette

Wonderverse

Regional Tour

Wonderverse is an innovative journey through a universe of light.

Within Wonderverse, participants will travel through a tunnel of mesmerising fireflies, create their own percussive masterpieces, contemplate the vastness of the universe, and control a magnificent sound and light wonderland. Experience breathtaking lighting by Geoff Cobham, discover epic tunes by Elisha Umuhuri from DEM MOB and, best of all, be part of the action. Adventure awaits in this sensational interactive experience.

“That was magic... it is like we daydreamed together.” Child

Public performances

7 August: Northern Festival Centre, Port Pirie
14 August: Middleback Arts Centre, Whyalla
21 August: Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
28 August: Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier

School performances

6-8 August: Northern Festival Centre, Port Pirie
13-15 August: Middleback Arts Centre, Whyalla
20-22 August: Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
27-29 August: Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier

Photo: Matt Byrne

ZOOOM

International tour

Continuing its international touring history, ZOOOM will light up stages across Asia and the Middle East. 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. Inspired by iconic children's book Harold and the Purple Crayon, ZOOOM channels the same philosophy - a child who makes sense of their world through art.

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

1-5 April: The Victoria Theatre, Singapore

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 2025: Glow & Tell and Once Upon a Jar.

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

On demand: Year-round, metro and regional schools

7-17 May: DreamBIG Children's Festival, Adelaide and SA regional tour

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

On demand: Year-round, SA libraries