City of Newcastle rolls out Land of Lost Things-inspired school holiday program

newy.com.au – A beloved children’s book will take centre stage across Newcastle during the April school holidays, with City of Newcastle rolling out a program of theatre, library, museum and gallery activities aimed at keeping children active and entertained.

The Civic Theatre will host a new theatrical adaptation of You & Me and the Land of Lost Things on 14 April, based on the book by writer Andy Griffiths and illustrator Bill Hope. The production follows a quest through a world of snapping turtles, flying socks, treasure-hungry pirates and a very anxious bull.

A series of related activities will also run at Newcastle’s cultural venues. Newcastle and Wallsend Libraries will hold illustration workshops on 7 and 8 April, while a special event on 15 April will teach basic navigation and map-reading skills before participants take part in a treasure hunt inspired by the story.

At Newcastle Museum on 9 April, children will be able to create their own version of the adventure gear featured in the story, with participants also going into the draw to win a signed copy of the book.

Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee chair Cr Jenny Barrie said City of Newcastle was offering plenty for local families over the school holiday break.

“City of Newcastle’s cultural facilities will be hubs of entertainment and education these school holidays for Novocastrians enjoying a staycation,” Cr Barrie said.

“The Civic Theatre has a range of options for children of all ages, including spectacular magic in Circus of Illusion, Hunter Drama’s Once Upon A One More Time at the Playhouse, a new live touring dance show called The Next Step: Legacy World Tour and a K-Pop Icons performance.

“City and Wallsend libraries have a packed scheduled, from LEGO challenges and hands-on workshops with a sea theme, to creative sessions that challenge Minecraft fans to build their own Model Newcastle inspired by the Newcastle Museum exhibition.”

The museum program will also include science shows exploring the structure of the Earth using custard and chocolate, as well as dinosaur-themed sessions. A two-day Marionette Melodrama program will use recycled materials to create puppets with their own personalities, alongside a writing workshop for teenagers and an upcycling session focused on reviving old clothes.

Newcastle Art Gallery will also host two workshops for primary school children during the holidays. In the “Frame It” sessions, children will design and create their own frame box while learning how artists use foreground, midground and background to tell stories in artworks.

The gallery’s “Ghosty” workshops, inspired by collection artist Nell’s sculpture currently on display, will give children the chance to make their own puppet and a special case for it to travel home safely.

Further information about the school holiday program is available through the Civic Theatre, City of Newcastle Libraries, Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Art Gallery websites.