Book Week performances
Last Thursday, 28 August, our school was transformed into a stage of imagination and wonder when Meerkat Productions brought two beloved books to life with vibrant performances: Garden of Broken Things for F–2 and Small Acts for Years 3–6. The PA space bubbled with excitement as students gathered to experience the magic of storytelling in action.
Who Are Meerkat Productions?
Meerkat Productions is a dynamic Australian theatre company that specialises in adapting Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week titles into immersive, musical theatre experiences. Each year, they bring one picture book and one younger‑reader chapter book to life with original songs, puppetry, and interactive staging.
Their performances include a teacher resource pack and a structured Q&A to deepen student learning and engagement.
F–2: Garden of Broken Things
Adapted from the tender picture book by Freya Blackwood, The Garden of Broken Things follows Sadie, a curious child who ventures into an overgrown garden behind a lonely house at Number 9 Ardent Street.
There she discovers a cat, a frail elderly woman, and a world of rusted, forgotten treasures—locked away behind tangled vines. Through Sadie's gentle storytelling, both the woman and the neglected garden awaken, illustrating themes of curiosity, listening, memory, and transformation.
The performance sparkled with whimsical puppetry and evocative music, capturing the emotional depth and visual magic of the story. Students were spellbound as they watched the garden come alive on stage.
Years 3–6: Small Acts
Small Acts by Kate Gordon and Kate Foster tells the story of Josh and Ollie, two Year 5 students navigating life with autism. As they face challenges of belonging and self-expression, they learn that even the smallest acts of kindness can transform lives.
The narrative powerfully weaves themes of inclusion, neurodiversity, compassion, and courage—offering readers heartfelt insight into the characters’ emotional worlds.
The production was brought to life with engaging performances, thoughtful puppetry, and moments that moved everyone in the audience. Students responded with deep empathy, and staff observed the story sparking thoughtful conversations in classrooms long after the lights came down.
Both performances were a wonderful opportunity for our students to see familiar and popular stories unfold before their eyes. The structured post‑show Q&A offered insight into how the puppets and sets were made, and gave students a window into theatrical storytelling and production.
It was a wonderful shared experience, combining literature, the arts, and curiosity. The performances enlivened our curriculum, connected students to rich themes of empathy and transformation, and celebrated the joy of books brought vividly to life.