Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples; the Traditional Owners and Elders of the land on which COPACC operates.
We acknowledge their connection to creative practice on these lands and extend our respect to First Nations people throughout our communities.

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BEETLE by Legs On The Wall

Next date: Tuesday, 19 August 2025 | 11:00 AM to 11:50 AM

Man dressed up as beetle standing in front of a tree

An instant Australian classic, Beetle tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for his Family, the now elusive Christmas Beetle.

The magic of the bush habitat is brought to life through Legs On The Wall’s trademark physical storytelling, and animation created from original artworks by beloved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood.

A tale of resilience and hope, Beetle reminds young audiences that there’s an important place in the world for all of us. Reminding us of the delicate balance of the natural world and that all things are connected.

This charming, nostalgic and uniquely Australian show invites children and families to join the adventure, encountering larger than life beetles, stick insects, and other bush critters while finding out about the uncanny nature and delicate balance of the bush environment.

“A striking show which takes young viewers on an immersive journey into nature by fusing puppetry, physical theatre, circus, video projection, and set and costume design with seamless imagination.” - ★★★★ The Scotsman

Director's Notes: One of my most loved childhood memories, in late November or early December, a very special sharing happened with my family. It didn't matter who saw it first but when we did we would bring our whole family together to look at this incredible seasonal event. The first Christmas beetle. Knowing more would come in the following weeks. I remember it stood as a symbol of Christmas, summer, water, heat, fun, family and friends. Now, even though my family are living all over Australia, we all still share if we see one. Unfortunately, we’re seeing them less and less. Beetle is a story of hope; it reminds us of the importance of the smallest things; our responsibility to let it live on through different stories, every new summer. - Joshua Thomson, Artistic Director, Legs On The Wall

Book Tickets

Venue: Auditorium

Age recommendation: Children aged 6-14 years and their families

Duration: 50 minutes | no interval

Warnings: Flashing lights and haze

Prices: Ticket $20 | Concession $18 | Children (12 years or under) $16, COPACC Members $16, School Groups $15 per student

BEETLE is commissioned by the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) and The Art House — Wyong and was supported by Inner West Council. The 2025 tour has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the NSW Government through Create NSW.