School Season Performances: Perth

HOODS: May - June 2025

From the creators of Children of the Black Skirt comes a contemporary tale of Hansel and Gretel. 

Each night two hoods ride a train to a wrecking yard on the outskirts of the city. Here, in this cemetery of stories, they are storytellers with the power to fast forward, pause and rewind. Tonight, they tell the story of three kids left in a car.

Rewind. It's Friday, KFC night and the last day of school before Christmas. Kyle, Jessie and baby brother Troy are waiting in the car for their mum. As night approaches, the car park takes on a dark and sinister aspect, filled with strange and familiar characters. The shopping centre closes, Mum still hasn't returned, and the baby won't stop crying. 

HOODS is an exceptional show for teenage audiences, especially relevant to those studying English and Theatre. It vividly illustrates key elements of Poor Theatre, omniscient narration, physical theatre, and seamless character transitions, all within a dynamic and impactful production. HOODS uses the child's point of view to bring perspective and moments of lightness in a narrative that deals with poverty, domestic violence, self-harm and social responsibility. Its also recommended as a Year 11 ATAR Drama text. 

This work was originally produced by Barking Gecko Arts in 2009.

Audience: Secondary Years 9-12

Venues & Dates:
Subiaco Arts Centre
Monday, 19 May - Friday, 23 May (Term 2, Week 4)

Don Russell Performing Arts Centre
Tuesday, 27 May - Friday, 30 May (Term 2, Week 5)
 
Koorliny Arts Centre
Wednesday, 4 June - Friday, 6 June (Term 2, Week 6)

Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre
Tuesday, 10 June - Friday, 13 June (Term 2, Week 7)

Performance Times:
Will vary: 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm or 6:30pm. 
Please check booking form for times by venue. 

Standard Bookings:
Ticket Prices: 
$16 per student
Complimentary staff/supervisor (1:10)
Additional adults at student prices (maximum numbers may apply)

To Book:
Our Art of Play - Schools Guide was emailed to all metropolitan schools though public-facing email addresses in early November 2024. Alternatively, please click here to download a HOODS Booking Request Form.

You can also complete an online HOODS Booking Request Form here. 

Booking Confirmation:
Ticket Allocations will be made in order of receipt, with confirmations sent from the week commencing Monday, 17 March 2025, or earlier where possible.

For any queries please email school.bookings@barkinggecko.com.au

CREATIVE CREDITS:

Playwright: Angela Betzien
Director: Andrea Gibbs
Set & Costume Designer: Sam Knox
Lighting Designer: Peter Young

REASONS TO STAY INSIDE: September - October 2025

Pedro used to run, skateboard, play soccer, and attend school. Not anymore. Pedro stays inside now. 

His best friend, Flora, thinks that's boring and kind of freaky. But Pedro does't care. He's building a pillow fort (he would prefer you call it 'The Death Star'), and it's getting bigger and bigger every day. Now, it's getting harder and harder for Flora to reach him. 

Pedro has the best Reasons to Stay Inside, but Flora knows what he's missing, and she will do whatever it takes to get her best friend to come outside. 

Reasons to Stay Inside is a delightful show that will have young audiences laughing out loud and embracing their bestie. Tackling children's mental health with insight and positivity the production encourages resilience, peer support, and open conversation about emotions. Reasons to Stay Inside engages audiences at the height of their emotional intelligence and asks them to imagine how they would support a friend. It's playful, hilarious and is an excellent fit for primary school kids. 

Audience: Primary Years 3-6

Venues & Dates:

Koorliny Arts Centre
Monday, 22 September - Friday, 26 September (Term 3, Week 10)

Don Russell Performing Arts Centre
Tuesday, 14 October - Friday, 17 October (Term 4, Week 1)

Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre
Tuesday, 21 October - Friday, 24 October (Term 4, Week 2)

Performance Times:
Monday - Friday: 10:00am & 1:00pm
Please check Booking Request Form for times by venue. 

Standard Bookings:
Ticket Prices: 
$16 per student
Complimentary staff/supervisor (1:10)
Additional adults at student prices (maximum numbers may apply)

To Book:
Our Art of Play - Schools Guide was emailed to all metropolitan schools though public-facing email addresses in early November 2024. Alternatively, please click here to download a Reasons to Stay Inside Booking Request Form.

You can also complete an online Reasons Booking Request Form here. 

INSPIRE Perth and Kwinana schools will be contacted separately. 

Booking Confirmation:
Ticket Allocations will be made in order of receipt, with confirmations sent from the week commencing Monday, 21 July 2025, or earlier where possible.

For any queries please email school.bookings@barkinggecko.com.au

CREATIVE CREDITS:

Playwright: Katy Warner
Director: Sam Longley
Set & Costume Designer: Bryan Woltjen
Lighting Designer: Lucy Birkinshaw
Composer & Sound Designer: Rebecca Riggs-Bennett