By Derek Schlennstedt
It’s a timeless classic about a mischievous wombat that causes all sorts of havoc for a couple of humans after she discovers that she can get delicious carrots from them.
Now, the naughtiest wombat in Australia will make her appearance in theatre, thanks to the incredible puppetry of Monkey Baa Theatre, who will bring to life the cheeky and hilarious wombat, Mothball.
The show is making its way to Healesville and Warburton in early July, and is sure to make audiences laugh.
Michael Cullen, a puppeteer and actor with the show said the performance did not differ from its book counterpart but included lovely live music.
“It’s about a mischievous, playful wombat called Mothball who gets bored of eating grass and discovers humans can be trained to give you carrots and oats.
“There will be a live cellist who is playing the emotions and story of the wombat, so when the wombat is angry there will be angry music – the cellist narrates the wombat.
“We wanted to keep it authentic, so the wombat doesn’t talk,” he said.
The performance is a delightful play that is just the right length (45 minutes) for its younger audience.
Narrated by cello and brought to life beautifully by Mothball’s incredible puppetry, all puppeteers studied the movements of wombats and have even met a few on their tour.
“We’ve been travelling around and visiting animal sanctuaries and were lucky enough to say hello to a few,” Michael said.
“You can’t help but fall in love with this animal; they are so cute and relaxed.”
Michael said they would love to visit Healesville sanctuary to say hello to the wombats there.
Diary of a wombat will play at the Healesville Memo on Friday, 14 July, at 2pm and 6pm, and also at Warburton Arts Centre, on Wednesday 12 July, at 2pm and 6pm.
Diary of a Wombat is part of a wider school holidays based program including a How to Train Your Dragon orchestral performance, The Magic Flute Opera, and a Roald Dahl ‘The Witches’ performance – all showing at the Mooroolbark Library.
To find out more about the school holidays program, visit: http://ach.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Whats_On/School_Holiday_Program
