Josephine Wants To Dance

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Josephine Wants To Dance

She’s bold. She’s bouncy. She’s back!

A hilarious musical about the importance of believing in yourself and realising your dreams and… a dancing kangaroo!

Based on the picture book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley, this delightful musical is a must see!

Josephine is a kangaroo who loves to dance. Her little brother, Joey, tells her kangaroos don't dance, they hop - but Josephine continues to point her toes and leap through the air. When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully, Josephine desperately wants to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes.

On the day of the first performance the Ballet Company is in trouble. The prima ballerina twists her ankle, and the understudy has a splinter in her toe. Who can dance the lead role? Josephine's talents are called upon to help save the day. Can she do it, and more importantly, does it matter that she's a kangaroo?
A Monkey Baa Theatre Company Production
Based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
Adapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandie Eldridge and Tim McGarry
  • Dates January to September 2025
  • Duration 50 minutes, no interval
  • Ages Ages 4-9 and their families

Ticketing

  • NSW

    Sydney
    Sydney Opera House 03 Jan – 15 Jan, 2025
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    Belrose
    Glen Street Theatre 15 Mar 2025
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    Penrith
    Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 20 Mar – 22 Mar, 2025
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    Chatswood
    The Concourse 16 Jul – 17 Jul, 2025
    But Tickets
    Rooty Hill
    Sydney Coliseum Theatre 19 Jul 2025
    Coming Soon
    Tamworth
    Entertainment Venues Tamworth 24 Jul – 25 Jul, 2025
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    Orange
    Orange Civic Theatre 28 Jul – 29 Jul, 2025
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    Griffith
    Griffith Regional Theatre 01 Aug 2025
    Coming Soon
    Wagga Wagga
    Wagga Wagga Civic Theare 05 Aug – 06 Aug, 2025
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    Newcastle
    Civic Theatre, Newcastle 08 Aug – 09 Aug, 2025
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    Taree
    Manning Entertainment Centre 15 Aug 2025
    Coming Soon
    Cessnock
    Performance Arts Culture Cessnock 18 Aug 2025
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    Wyong
    The Art House Wyong 20 Aug – 21 Aug, 2025
    Coming Soon
    Parramatta
    Riverside Theatre 26 Aug – 29 Aug, 2025
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    Sutherland
    The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre 02 Sep 2025
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  • VIC

    Mildura
    Mildura Arts Centre 25 Mar – 26 Mar, 2025
    Coming Soon
    Hamilton
    Hamilton Performing Arts Centre 28 Mar – 29 Mar, 2025
    Coming Soon
    Ballarat
    Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat 31 Mar – 01 Apr, 2025
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    Bendigo
    Ulumbarra Theatre 03 Apr 2025
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    Bairnsdale
    The Forge Theatre 05 Apr – 07 Apr, 2025
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    Wonthaggi
    Berninneit Cultural Centre 09 Apr 2025
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    Clayton
    Alexander Theatre 11 Apr – 12 Apr, 2025
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    Geelong
    Geelong Arts Centre 16 Apr – 17 Apr, 2025
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    Warrnambool
    Lighthouse Theatre 23 Apr – 24 Apr, 2025
    Coming Soon
    Warragul
    West Gippsland Arts Centre 01 May 2025
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    Nunawading
    The Round 03 May 2025
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  • WA

    Bunbury
    Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre 07 May – 08 May, 2025
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    Perth
    Heath Ledger Theatre 10 May – 11 May, 2025
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    Mandurah
    Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 14 May 2025
    Coming Soon
    Geraldton
    Queens Park Theatre 16 May 2025
    Coming Soon
    Esperance
    Esperance Civic Theatre 22 May – 23 May, 2025
    Coming Soon
    Kalgoorlie
    Goldfields Arts Centre 26 May 2025
    Coming Soon
  • QLD

    Rockhampton
    Pilbeam Theatre 24 Jun – 25 Jun, 2025
    Coming Soon
    Bundaberg
    Moncrieff Entertainment Centre 27 Jun – 28 Jun, 2025
    Coming Soon
    Caloundra
    The Events Centre Caloundra 01 Jul – 02 Jul, 2025
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    Logan
    Logan Enterainment Centre 04 Jul 2025
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Best Production for Children
Sydney Theatre Awards

"Josephine Wants to Dance brings the story of a stage-struck macropod to life with enormous charm and sly wit. Its appeal extends far beyond the target of four to nine-year-olds."

Audrey Journal

"Josephine Wants to Dance has all the originality and appeal of other Monkey Baa productions – with an added aspirational message."

Stage Whispers

"Josephine Wants to Dance is a must see for anyone with a sense of wonder, whether 4 or 40 or even older. With a delightful message that anything is possible if you work hard…"

Broadway World

"A complete delight."

Daily Telegraph

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Creative Team

Adaptor

Eva Di Cesare

Adaptor

Sandra Eldridge

Adaptor

Tim McGarry

Director

Jonathan Biggins

Composer/Lyricist

Phillip Scott

Choreographer

Tim Harbour

Set and Costume Designer

James Browne

Lighting Designer

Emma Lockhart-Wilson

Sound Designer

David Bergman

Musical Director

Michael Tyack

Remount Lighting Designer

Veronique Benett

Costume Cutter

Marianne Close

Performer

Lily Baulderstone

Performer

Nina Carmen

Performer

Hannah Gwatkin

Performer

Brodie Masini

Performer

Callum Slater

Understudy

Georgia Unsworth

Illustrations by

Bruce Whatley

Photos by

Alex Vaughan

Accessibility

Assisted Listening
Assisted listening devices are available in the theatre.
National Relay Service
If you are d/Deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service.
Wheelchair Accessible
Contact us for more details about wheelchair and companion positions in the theatre

Acknowledgements

Supported by

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