An awe-inspiring interactive installation for the whole family
Presented by: Patch Theatre
Reviewed: 8 October 2024
Wonderverse is Patch Theatre’s latest interactive production aimed at 4-12 year old (and their families). Described as an “innovative journey through a universe of light”, Wonderverse really lives up to its name, with each part of the installation engineered to generate a sense of wonder.
As a group we travel through the corridors of Bonython Hall, guided by bright orange pop tubes attached to a rope, until we get to a character in a brightly coloured, fringed outfit who leads the group into the first of three ‘rooms’ (spaces separated with black curtains). Each room works to inspire awe, peace, and joy in a different way, from relaxing hammocks, to a creative group musical masterpiece and dance party, to free play in a room of colourful lights and dots on the floor.
The production has been well-planned in regards to balancing energy and calm, and keeping the groups in control and moving between rooms (using the pop tubes). The first room, including hammocks and a light display that looked like dancing fireflies, was both calming and awe-inspiring. The second room, using clever mechanisms involving torches attached to ropes which triggered various musical loops, was fun and creative, culminating in a dance party before the group was encouraged to lie on the floor beneath an undulating shiny parachute, which floated up and down like a huge jellyfish. Judging by the reactions of children and adults alike, this moment was a favourite for many. The final room, consisting of a checkerboard of dots on the ground all lit in different colours, turned out to be a space for free play, although with the lack of any instruction, it took some people a few minutes to realise they were allowed to interact with the moving lights and play.
Accompanying the entire experience was a soundtrack written by Elisha Umuhuri from the Aboriginal hip-hop band DEM MOB. With simple and catchy motifs that followed through each of the different soundscapes, it helped tie together each of the experiences and add to the overall sense of wonder.
I asked my young companions for their expert opinions, since this is, after all, a kids show:
Miss J (age 9) said, “My favourite was the second room. Moving the torches was really fun, and then we got to do a crazy dance!”
Miss S (age 9) said, “The first room was my favourite because it was peaceful and a great way to start the performance. After that I knew everything was going to be so awesome!”
Reviewed by: Kristin Stefanoff
Photo credit: Matt Byrne
Venue: Bonython Hall, University of Adelaide
Season: until 20 October (sold out – waitlist only)
Duration: 30 minutes
Bookings: https://www.patchtheatre.org.au/wonderverse
More News
