What kind of King would you be? A naïve boy raised by goatherds is discovered to be heir to the kingdom. Treasures and privileges are laid at his feet, but at what cost to others? The achingly beautiful and tender language of Oscar Wilde joins the intimate and magical world of internationally acclaimed Adelaide theatre company, Slingsby. Journey in wonder, to a land of challenging choices and rich rewards.

Venue Format
Theatre, Black Box Venue
Technical Rating
C
Touring Party
5 artists/crew in the touring party (6 if the Artistic Director joins the touring party for part of the tour)
Considerations

For a studio/black box configuration the performance area is contained within 11m x 10m (including seating for 140 people which Slingsby will provide). In addition Slingsby works with each venue to create a journey/pathway into the performance area. This pathway includes a corridor of small installations, a hat making/craft area and a post-show forest. 'Courtiers' guide the audience through this pathway. Local FOH staff/performers fill the 'Courtiers' roles (up to four 'Courtiers' are needed for each performance). Slingsby will run a workshop with local staff for the 'Courtiers' and will provide costume items (bellhop hats, braces and bow ties). This component builds a beautiful bond between the touring company and performers/staff from the local community as the local artists become part of the performance experience. For a proscenium arch configuration Slingsby will collaborate with each venue for the best setting.

Enter a Slingsby show and you enter a captivating world. We invite you to ‘Journey in Wonder’ with us. It may be dark and you may feel uneasy. That’s only natural. You are not alone. See that light in the distance? Take our hands. We know the way.

Founded in 2007 and based in Adelaide, South Australia, Slingsby presents emotionally challenging and engaging storytelling in rich live theatrical realms. Our original productions are crafted to challenge and inspire adult and older family audiences.

Slingsby is named after a character in Edward Lear’s short story The Four Little People Who Went Round The World. Indeed, the company’s adventures have taken it far. We are now well-established as a leading international company having toured to more than 100 venues across 12 countries, and counting.

Artistic Director Andy Packer and General Manager, Producer Stacey Baldwin collaborate with Australia’s finest artists across many disciplines and foster international theatrical alliances.

Company Website
slingsby.net.au

Unique Selling Point

The Young King is an immersive theatre experience that invites the audience to participate in the coronation celebration of the new King. Through a comprehensive journey into the theatre space the audience is divided into folk from the four corners of the kingdom. This gives the story deeper resonance. At the conclusion of the performance the set opens to reveal a new space (a forest) that the audience pass into. The design for the production is intricate and the telling of the story is delivered through poetic language, a visually rich theatrical form and live music.

Marketing Materials

Slingsby will provide extensive marketing material including a Marketing Guide, high-res production and PR photos, touring company profile (headshot) photos, poster image, videos (1 minute promo video, 2min 40sec promo video and full show video), comprehensive Education Resources (Activity Book (junior years) Study Guide (senior years) and Curriculum Links), Audio Synopsis, outstanding press reviews and audience responses (public and schools).

Community Engagement

The Young King 'casts' the audience as 'folk from the four corners of the kingdom' in which the story is set. In the lead up to each season Slingsby will liaise with each venue to cast four (4) 'Courtiers' from the local community. The 'Courtiers' are local performers (potentially FOH staff who also enjoy performing). Slingsby’s touring party (Artistic Director Andy Packer where possible) will run a three hour workshop with the 'Courtiers' coaching them in the delivery of simple scripts and their role in the immersive theatre experience. When the audience arrive for the performance the costumed 'Courtiers' lead the audience through a four-stage immersive theatre experience, slowly inducting them into the world of the story, allowing them to touch installations and make their own hats. This creates a rich and memorable theatre experience with the audience being intimately involved in the story. Following the performance the audience are invited into a forest world and each given a gift of three grains of corn to plant in their garden. Allowing the story to live on in the community. The Young King's touring company are also very keen to participate in post-performance conversations and Q&A sessions with the audience.