Grug

Based on the much-loved picture book character created by Ted Prior.

About

  • AGES 2 6
  • 35mins

Grug began his life as the top of a Burrawang tree that fell to the ground. Resembling a small, striped haystack with feet and a nose, Grug is fascinated by the world around him and solves everyday problems creatively and without fuss.

When dancing instructions are too difficult to understand, he invents his own dance and calls it ‘The Grug’. When snails eat his cabbages, Grug plants more cabbages so there will be enough for both him and the snails.

 

Click here to access an audio version of this information
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Meet the Cast and Creative Team

Sam Haren

Director

Sam is a Creative Director of Sandpit, a company that create immersive, and interactive theatre and personal experiences. Sam was the Artistic Director of The Border Project from 2002-2012, directing or co-directing all of their work during that time.

He has co-directed Ghosts Toast and the Things Unsaid (Sandpit/ Google’s Creative Lab), Eyes (Sandpit) and Skeleton with Larissa McGowan (Adelaide Festival 2013 & Dance Massive/Malthouse). Sam has worked with Australian Dance Theatre as a dramaturg and researcher. He was one of three international finalists for Rolex’s Mentor and Protégé Initiative for a mentorship with Julie Taymor in 2006.

For Windmill Theatre Co, Sam has directed Plop!, Escape from Peligro Island, Grug and Grug and the Rainbow, as well as interactive experience My Room.

Jonathon Oxlade

Designer

Jonathon has designed set and costumes for Queensland Theatre, LaBoite Theatre, isthisyours?, Aphids, Arena Theatre Company, Polyglot, The Real TV Project, Polytoxic, Men of Steel, Lemony S Puppet Theatre, Terrapin Puppet Theatre, Vitalstatistix and Barking Gecko.

He has also worked with Bell Shakespeare, The Border Project, State Theatre of South Australia, Dead Puppet Society, The Last Great Hunt, Sydney Theatre Company, The Escapists, Melbourne Theatre Company, Sandpit, Belvoir St Theatre and Windmill Theatre Co, where he is resident designer. Jonathon has received numerous awards. Most recently in 2016, Jonathon was awarded the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship and received APDG awards for both Best Production Design and Best Costume Design for Girl Asleep, and received an AACTA award for best Costume for Girl Asleep.

In 2017, he received the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Costume Design for Mr Burns.

DJ TR!P

Composer

DJ TR!P is a multi-award winning producer, composer and performer of electronic music. Over a career spanning 20 years he has built an impressive repertoire of live compositions for his club sets, a variety of high profile events and productions. These include contemporary theatre, dance and film productions, as well as for festival openings, launches and major cultural events.

He has played live at numerous national and international venues, festivals and events including The New Victory Theater (42nd St, New York), Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival, The Tank (New York), State Theater (New Jersey), Super Deluxe (Tokyo), Game On (from the Barbican Art Gallery), MONA FOMA, Adelaide’s New Years Eve’s Fireworks Countdown, DARK MOFO, The Famous Spielgeltent, Ten Days On The Island, Sydney Opera House, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Festival, Big Day Out, ACMI, Federation Square (New Years Eve), Brisbane Powerhouse, Falls Festival and many more. DJ TR!P worked with Windmill Theatre Co previously as the composer for their shows Plop! and Grug.

Tamara Rewse

Tamara has worked in numerous areas of the performing arts since 1997 including as a Director, Devisor, Maker and Singer. She has toured both nationally and internationally. She has also worked as both a performer and puppeteer for numerous shows.

Her credits include Piccasso and his Dog (Lemony S), Mr Freezy (Arena Theatre Company), Grug, Grug and the Rainbow, Beep and Hiccup (Windmill Theatre Co), COOP (Black Hole Theatre) and Tangle, We Built this City, Paper Planet, Tangle Weave, Forest Feast (Polyglot Theatre). Tamara is also a member of Men of Steel and was involved in their self-titled debut work, Men of Steel as well as Hard Rubbish. Her skills include making props and puppets for film, television and theatre.

Highlights from the Show

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY

"He’s like the Elmo of Down Under."

The New York Times

"One suspects the young audience members will remember this amiable little quality show forever."

The Advertiser

"Grug with his wonderful big eyes is surprisingly expressive for a little haystack."

The Advertiser

"Who’d have thought so much fun would come from the top of a Burrawang tree."

Sunday Mail

"Windmill has again created a show in which children can wonderfully discover the magic and the fun and play in theatre."

Australian Stage

"Everything theatre should be: imaginative, expertly performed and completely captivating."

State Theatre NJ

Credits

  • Director Sam Haren
  • Designer Jonathon Oxlade
  • Composer DJ TR!P
  • Puppet-maker and Consultant Tamara Rewse

Acknowledgements

Grug is a Windmill Theatre Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Out of the Box Festival Co-production.

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