Cicada tell story. Story Good. Story simple. Story even human can understand. Tok! Tok! Tok!

So begins the story of a dutiful cicada who works away in a grey office year after year.

Overlooked and unappreciated by his co-workers, Cicada weaves a dream of escape, keeping his secrets hidden until the day something truly extraordinary begins to happen…

Winner of the Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book in 2019, this new adaptation brings master-storyteller Shaun Tan’s much-loved Cicada to life on the stage with exquisite puppetry and visual storytelling by some of WA’s leading theatre-makers.

A small story of epic proportions, Cicada is an enchanting tale of difference, resilience and the light we all have inside ourselves.

"Visually masterful, thematically brilliant, beautifully executed ... this year's must see performance for children and families."

— Arts Hub

"Theatrical magic ... clever and moving ... the cutest cicada puppet imaginable ..."

— Stage Whispers

"A stylish adaptation and glorious staging ... if you have young people, take them to see it. If you don't, just take yourself."

— Seesaw Magazine

"Truly spectacular…captivates young and old"

— Broadway World

Repertoire Information

Run time: 55mins

Contains haze effects, flashing lights, loud sound effects, and an extremely cute Cicada puppet.

Suitable for relaxed performances, Auslan interpreted performances, and audio description. Black box or proscenium arch, with raked seating. Designed for 140 pax. Mix of puppetry and live performance with little dialogue.

Target Audiences: children and families, CALD, Shaun Tan fans, book lovers, visual artists, and schools.

Available Resources: Marketing kit and collateral, detailed technical specification guides, creative learning resource, foyer activation kit, and community engagement workshops (extra fee).

CAST	Arielle Gray Tim Watts
ALTERNATE CAST	Tamara Creasey Imanuel Dado

ADAPTED FROM CICADA BY	Shaun Tan
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY	Arielle Gray, Luke Kerridge & Tim Watts
DIRECTOR	Luke Kerridge
DESIGNER	Tyler Hill
DESIGN ASSISTANT	Amalia Lambert
COMPOSER	Jonathon Jie Hong Yang
SOUND DESIGNER	Tim Collins
LIGHTING DESIGNER	Chloe Ogilvie
VIDEO DESIGN	Tim Watts
PUPPET CONSTRUCTION	Tamara Rewse
STAGE MANAGER	Madeleine Young