Wackadoo! There’s no place like home for Bluey’s stage show
Since its launch in 2020 Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show has toured globally and is now loved by millions of fans worldwide – but there’s no better place to tour, or to be, than back home.
Wackadoo! Following a highly successful global tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad have come home for a massive Australian tour in 2026. Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show is on the road and will be playing major cities and regional centres all over Australia through until October.
Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television series is packed with music, laughter and fun for the whole family. Audiences of all ages will get to see Bluey, Bingo, Mum (Chilli) and Dad (Bandit) as they’ve never seen them before, as Bluey and her family embark on this live show adventure. We spoke to the show’s director of puppetry Jacob Williams, ahead of the tour:
What can audiences expect from Bluey’s Big Play?
Audiences can expect seeing the whole Heeler family in life-size 3D! With a script written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and original music by Bluey composer Joff Bush. There are moments of audience participation where you get to play along with Bluey and Bingo, plus a few special guest characters to look out for.
What were some of the challenges bringing Bluey to life on stage?
Living up to the hype, for sure, but also making sure we brought the flavour of the animation into the 3D world of theatre. Children can be rather unforgiving if you don’t live up to what they are expecting. They have come to see Bluey! When we began the first Australian tour back in 2021 I sat behind two sisters and when Bluey came skipping out at the top of the show they squealed with delight, “Bluey’s real!”
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Do you feel a huge responsibility bringing such a beloved character to life on stage?
Director Rosemary Myers [former artistic director of Adelaide’s Windmill Theatre, which originally developed the play] and I felt a huge amount of responsibility bringing these characters to the stage. Our main aim was to honour the show and how important it is to its audiences. We worked alongside the creators of the animation, Joe Brumm (creator of Bluey) wrote the original script and story while Joff Bush (Bluey original composer) was in the rehearsal room composing music specifically for the stage production. Ludo producers were also in the room helping us realise some of the more nuanced elements of the Bluey universe and, as a result, we have a beautiful stage show that lives up to the huge reputation of the original show.
How much preparation goes into a show like this?
So much work! Before you even start rehearsals with puppeteers you need to finalise the script, bring together a creative team to deliver the design in staging, costume, lighting and sound. There were several development periods where we tried out different prototypes of how the puppets would look and work. Then finally rehearsals, which for Bluey took six weeks to get right.
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Travelling around the world with this show, what have you noticed about the way Bluey connects with audiences? And why do you think Bluey is such a hit?
It amazes me that no matter where we take this show, whether it is South Africa, the Middle East or the US, the reaction is always the same. This speaks to Bluey’s universality and relatability. We all come from a family, whether we have gone to have families of our own or not the stories that Bluey tells are all too familiar and speak to our better selves.
What’s been the most rewarding part of the job?
The most rewarding part of this job has been able to travel the world and work with young performers from different cultures and bringing them into a show and a culture that means so much. And, of course, seeing how much it means to the audiences. This show will be the first piece of theatre for some kids and seeing their little brains explode with excitement never gets tired!
Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show plays Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide, February 4-8; and many venues across Queensland from March 27 to April 25. Click on the link below to find your town.
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