Schools flock to see Edward the Emu

More than 1200 smiling faces filled the West Gippsland Arts Centre last Tuesday to see a favourite children's storybook come to life on stage.
The arts centre was filled to capacity as 1242 people attended two shows of "Edward the Emu" from Monkey Baa Theatre Company. This included 22 school and kindergarten groups who travelled from locations as far as Churchill and Gembrook to attend alongside the general public.

Nilma and Labertouche primary schools also enjoyed special presentations leading up to the show. A teaching artist from Monkey Baa visited both schools a week prior to the show for a workshop, giving greater understanding of how they bring the storybook to the stage.
Labertouche principal Christie Bransgrove said the question and answer session at the conclusion of the show was fantastic, whilst student Caleb Collier enjoyed seeing how the puppets were made.
Tahlia Brown said her favourite part of the show was the eggs coming out, while fellow student Willow Barker held a special copy of storybook "Edward the Emu" throughout. This book was gifted by her grandfather before she was born.
The stage show was based on the Australian storybook "Edward the Emu" by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement.