Musical ready to make its return

ARENA Theatre Company’s Helpmann Award winning production, Robot Song, will finally return to the stage in just a few short days.

Originally slated for 2020 following its premiere in 2018, the show has faced repeated cancellations and postponements throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now it’s scheduled for 4 to 6 May at The Capital theatre and Arena’s executive director Sharon Custers said cast and crew couldn’t be more ready after two years of fine tuning.

“It will definitely happen now,” she said.

“We’ve really improved a lot of it and it’s the best version of Robot Song that anyone could possibly want to see.”

The musical tells the story of Juniper May, an eleven-year-old girl with autism who, with the help of her parents and a giant singing robot, overcomes bullies at school.

“It’s a beautiful story, it’s hilarious at times, you will laugh out loud. It’s just stunningly beautiful visually and uses lots of different kinds of technologies like live motion capture and robotic arms,” Custers said.

The Bendigo season includes a relaxed performance for audience members who have autism or other sensory needs and an Auslan interpreted performance.

“We’re making sure that the show is accessible for as many people as possible, and we just can’t wait to have people come and see this amazing show,” Custers said.

The production will then go on to tour Victoria and New South Wales, which Custers said marked its first time out of the region in “a long time”.