The Rainbow Tree | 30 June - 10 July 2022

Where everyone is welcome and anything is possible. Musical storytelling written with children from Rainbow families.

'The Rainbow Tree is a metaphor for connection, community and family, those you are born into and those you find along the way. A safe haven for all those that colour outside the lines.' - participants at Artplay

What happens when you invite seven children from Rainbow families to create a show? You end up with a disco koala, a wilderbeast, a farting unicorn and a fairy that can freeze tickle monsters all co-habiting in a very tall, yet tiny Rainbow tree. This is what it's like living in a Rainbow family. Everyone is welcome and anything is possible.

The Rainbow Tree is playful, imaginative and interactive musical storytelling with moving image. Written with children from Rainbow families, it shares personal and imagined stories around the idea of family, identity and community. Performed by two queer super Aunties, Aunty Bear and ZaZa from Little Fruit Projects (Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward) with singing and live music played on instruments and objects you could find around the house. The songs are brought to life through the projected visual images of Jolyon James (Arena Theatre Company) featuring animation, illustrations and the children themselves.

Approximate running time: 45mins 

View program here

Image by: Alexis Desauliners-Lea

REVIEWS

Vision Australia Radio – Interview with Bec Matthews & Sarah Ward 

Creative Team

Co-created by Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward with 7 children from Rainbow Families: Aidia, Felix, Maeve, Mckenzie, Minka, Reuben and Timo

 

Performed by Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward

Directorial Eye – Susie Dee

Video Artist – Jolyon James

Set Designer – Bridget Milesi

Lighting Designer – Monique Aucher

Auslan Interpreter – Kirri Dangerfield

 

This work was seeded at ArtPlay, with support from City of Melbourne, ArtPlay, Midsumma and The Australia Council.