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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IMAGINE LIVE produced by Jolyon James and NCM

Next date: Thursday, 05 June 2025 | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

COMING TO COPACC FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2025!!!

by Jolyon James based on the book ‘Imagine’ by Alison Lester

“It’s about animals!” … "It's about Imagination!” … “It’s about our Home!”
Spot a leopard, dive with a dolphin or dig up a dinosaur as this iconic book springs into life before your eyes.

Magical and meaningful, IMAGINE LIVE is a celebration of creativity, friendship and our precious natural world.
With the help of the audience, performers play and sing their way through the pages of Imagine, and quickly discover there is WAY more to these pages than they first thought. Spot a leopard, dive with a dolphin or dig up a dinosaur as this iconic book springs into life before your eyes.

IMAGINE LIVE is an innovative artistically rigorous work using cutting edge body mapping digital puppetry, face recognition technology, animation, original music and participatory storytelling. Underscored by a beautiful music score, characters and objects travel between real and animated worlds.
IMAGINE LIVE oscillates between Imagine's iconic natural environments and the playful home setting of the children. Projection screens work seamlessly with oversized props and puppets skillfully brought to life by live performers and digital puppeteer. The players use creativity to connect a long-distance video call between a granddaughter and grandmother, enjoying a nostalgic connection with their favourite book, Imagine. Relevant to both multi-generational and diverse audiences, the show is a reminder that connection, creativity and play are essential ingredients for positive mental health.
IMAGINE LIVE’s deep environmental theme invites us to look beyond our backyards into a shared and richly beautiful world. Building on the knowledge and success gained in the creation of Helpmann Award winning show, Robot Song, IMAGINE LIVE reunites the creative team Ashlea Pyke, Nate Gilkes, Phillip McInnes and welcomes Eliza Hull as an Access Inclusion Consultant to create an experience that is as enjoyable as it is transformative.

Jolyon James - Writer / Director / Designer
Benjamin Van Dillen - Production Manager
Nate Gilkes - Composer / Musical Director
Ashlea Pyke - Assistant Director / Actor
Phillip McInnes - Actor / Digital Puppeteer
Eliza Hull - Access Consultant
Aubrey Flood - Actor
Alison Lester - Author of ‘Imagine’

Justin Gardam - Sound Design / Technician
Allen & Unwin - Publisher of ‘Imagine’
Amy Marks - Visual Supervisor
Management: Nicholas Clark Management (NCM)

This performance is subsidised and proudly supported by Colac Otway Shire's department of Sustainability and Environment.

Produced by Jolyon James and NCM, Co-produced by Geelong Arts Centre and supported by Creative Australia

Associate Producer Riverside Theatres, Parramatta and Mornington Peninsula Shire. Touring supported by Creative Victoria

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

“It’s EXQUISITE! So rich, real, layered and perfect for kids.
I kept having to pinch myself that Imagine was my book, I feel so honoured.” - Alison Lester, Author of ‘Imagine’

“Imagine Live is a delight! With incredible puppetry, mesmerising visuals and a stunning score, my friends and I – and more importantly their children – laughed, clapped, yelled at the stage and left with huge smiles on our faces!” - Meg Deyell, Service Manager, Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool

“Great show. So beautiful. Our Children loved this.” - Audience Member
“The set was lovely. Such a beautiful story.” - Audience Member
“The best I have ever seen! Loved everything about it.” - Audience Member
“We clapped so much. We will recommend it to our friends.” - Audience Member