Strings to bring sky-loving wombat's story to life

A WOMBAT and koala are going on an adventure at Her Majesty’s Theatre today as the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra brings its children’s production Wurrtoo: The Wombat Who Fell in Love with the Sky to Ballarat.

The stage adaption of Tylissa Elisara’s picture book will be narrated by the author herself, with live music performed by an MSO string quintet.

The story follows a wombat called Wurrtoo who falls in love with the sky and wants to marry it. Along his journey, he becomes buddies with a koala named Kuula.

Last week, the production’s principal double bass player and curator Emma Sullivan was at Ballarat Wildlife Park to give wombat Fudge, and some of the parks koalas, a taste of Wurrtoo’s original pieces composed by Noongar, Yamatji and Wongi man Aaron Wyatt.

“My all-time favourite animal is the wombat,” Sullivan said. “I was so excited to meet Fudge, and the koalas are beautiful too.

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra principal double bass player and curator of the Wurrtoo production Emma Sullivan met some of the Ballarat Wildlife Park’s koalas last week. Photo: Edwina Williams.

“It’s such a special way to market this concert because when I first found Tylissa’s story, I loved how it brings out Australian characters and celebrates Australian animals and nature.

“It’s a really beautiful story of friendship and adventure that’s distinctly Australian.

“This is the perfect marriage; our beautiful Australian animals with the music.”

Elisara is a Queensland-based First Nations author who created the Wurrtoo book originally for her son, drawing inspiration from dreamtime stories.

Sullivan said the book reflects Elisara’s culture, and Wyatt has composed a special theme for each character and the landscapes.

“The music really brings the story to life,” Sullivan said. “My favourite theme music is the theme for the sky.

Curious wombat Fudge investigates Emma Sullivan’s double bass. Photo: Edwina Williams.

“At the start of the show we’ll introduce the theme for each animal so the audience knows what to listen out for and then they’ll learn about Wurrtoo and Kuula’s story both through the narration and the music, so they’re done side-by-side.

“My instrument, the double bass, often reflects the scary animals. I’m the theme for the Yamuti which is a huge, prehistoric wombat.

“We’ll also have a projection of the images in the book by illustrator Dylan Finney. In the book they are black and white, but especially for the concert, Dylan has coloured them in.”

The 50-minute show begins at 2pm this Friday 10 July with tickets at hermaj.com or the box office.