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The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: A children’s show from the West Australian Ballet

The West Australian
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Keigo Muto and Sarah Ross as Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Camera IconKeigo Muto and Sarah Ross as Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Credit: WA Ballet/ Frances Andrijich

More than a century after they first appeared in print, beloved Australian children’s characters Snugglepot and Cuddlepie will leap on to the stage in a new production from the West Australian Ballet

The gumnut babies’ first book was published in 1918 when Australia was in the grip of the Spanish flu pandemic and now The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie will premiere while the country grapples with COVID-19

Commissioned by West Australian Ballet artistic director Aurélien Scannella and presented in partnership with the AWESOME Arts Festival for Bright Young Things, the 30-minute performance follows Snugglepot and Cuddlepie as embark on a journey to see humans before having to escape Mrs Snake and the Banksia Men.

“Ballet should be enjoyed by everyone, from the young to the old and our high quality children’s ballets are created to inspire young kids that may not be able to sit through a full two hour ballet,” Scannella said.

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Ballet dancers Keigo Muto and Sarah Ross will play the title roles.

The ballet features an adventurous bespoke score created by Perth composer Emma Jayakumar and recorded by Perth Symphony Orchestra. Choreography is by former dancer and WAAPA lecturer Andries Weidemann.

WAAPA graduate Amalia Lambert has created the sets and costumes, while the work will be performed by West Australian Ballet’s young artists and members of the Corps de Ballet.

“Stories like Snugglepot and Cuddlepie hold an important place in the hearts of many Australians,” AWESOME executive and artistic director Jenny Simpson.

“It is very exciting to see this new adaptation being presented in the heart of our 2020 AWESOME Festival.”

The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie will debut on September 28 for a five show run on an outdoor stage in the Perth Cultural Centre.

Entry will be free.

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