Calico has been creating theatre for young audiences since 1991.
Presented nationwide and overseas, in theatres, schools and festivals, Calico’s original, thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud productions have touched hearts, opened minds and sparked the imaginations of countless young New Zealanders. Currently, Calico has no professional theatre productions available for bookings.
Scroll down for highlights of Calico’s past productions.
For more information about New Zealand theatre for young audiences
“The play was fantastic…
The children throughout the school were spellbound.”
Berhampore School - feedback on In the Deep End
In the Deep End - by Michelanne Forster (for ages 5-12)
What's the harm in one teensy little white lie? Vanilla Bland finds out when her quiet life explodes into hilarious slapstick crisis after a seemingly harmless fib snowballs out of control. Up to her neck in Big Trouble, Vanilla must rescue Professor Snowtex from notorious jewel thief Sandra Shark and face up to the truth. Commissioned by Calico and written with input from children, the script is available for production through Playmarket.
Shalakazap! - by Jenny Wake (for ages 5-12)
Tyro, apprentice MatheMagician, can't get his spells right. So, when Fire Chief Fleet arrives with a monster mathemagical problem, they ask the audience for help. Riotous comedy, a mysterious transforming set and audience participation ensue - from collaborative puzzle-solving to finding and weighing a precisely (more or less) middle-sized child. After sell-out tours to schools throughout New Zealand, this show went to Brisbane's Out of the Box festival and was later remounted and toured to Canadian schools by Vancouver-based Axis Theatre. Script available through Playmarket.
Speed of Light - by Angie Farrow (for ages 15+)
Clayton has top grades and star potential; Annie and Terk dismiss his self-doubts. When Clayton goes missing, their relationship with him is thrown into question: they may be best mates, but are they good friends? Speed of Light blends comedy, despair and the urgent rhythms of the athletics arena to highlight issues of friendship, communication and emotional isolation. Commissioned by Calico in response to New Zealand’s youth suicide statistics, the script is based on extensive consultation with health professionals. Available through Playmarket.
Wipe Out - by Jenny Wake (for ages 8-14)
In a future world, Nem and Jax embark on a dangerous journey into virtual reality. Their mission: to destroy the electronic network of a powerful enemy. But Nem has a secret agenda and Jax jumps to some chilling conclusions about his loyalties. When the team is trace-tagged by the enemy, escape depends on the strength of their friendship. Script available through Playmarket.
Fuatia’s Future - by Charlie Oates (for ages 10-14)
Fuatia is in a hurry to be born. But what kind of world will she come into? This play explores young people's visions of the future; their dreams, fears and expectations. What kind of future are we creating? How can we help shape the future we want? Whimsical, provocative insights from 10 to 14-year-old students from a cross-section of Wellington-area schools have been developed into dynamic physical theatre by American writer/director Charlie Oates.
Tomorrow’s Friend - by Jenny Wake (for ages 7-12)
A strange blue creature emerges from a pod and tries to fit in with the crowd. Met with fear, prejudice and misunderstanding, the lonely alien fails to make friends until she meets someone who is very much on the outer like her. The production featured a mix of live actors and puppets created by Annie Forbes and Tim Denton. Written in consultation with children aged 9 to 11, Tomorrow's Friend explores the experience of being on the outside.
The Man whose Mother was a Pirate - based on the book by Margaret Mahy, adapted by Tim Bray (for ages 4-10)
with music and lyrics by Christine White
Sam works in a tidy office in a big city far away from the sea, but his old pirate mum yearns to see the great ocean waves rolling and dancing once more. Sam loads her into a wheelbarrow and heads for the coast – an adventure that will change their lives forever. Available through Playmarket along with many other wonderful scripts by Tim Bray.
Maurice Gee’s The Halfmen of O - adapted by Jenny Wake
Summoned to the land of O, 11-year-old Susan must restore the balance of Good and Evil to save the world from the creeping darkness spread by cruel Otis Claw and the Halfies, who have lost every trace of human goodness. This play for ages 8 and over was first performed by 70 young performers and Dame Kate Harcourt in a co-production with Napier Operatic Society. Script, costumes and scenery are now available for school productions.
The Snow Queen - adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale
When Kaj is stolen away by the Snow Queen, his best friend Gerda sets out on a perilous journey to find him and bring him home. Along the way, she discovers the power of true friendship. Calico’s original production teamed young performers and professional actors when it premiered at Downstage Theatre. Devised by Jenny Wake, with Annie Forbes, Tim Denton, Paul Jenden, Tony Woolf and the young cast, the play was later redeveloped by Jenny for large-cast school productions. The script, costumes and scenery are now available for school productions.
Captain Hacker and the Glitch Bugs - by Karen Miller
Feuding misfits Bozo, Fenella Umbrella, Spock, Snotty and Motormouth are accidentally sucked into Cyberspace. There they find Captain Hacker and his wicked Glitch Bugs plotting to squandoggle our world with computer chaos. To foil Hacker’s dastardly plan they must set aside their differences and draw on each others’ hidden strengths. Originally written for Calico’s drama students, the play was redeveloped for touring to primary schools, with three professional actors performing alongside a cast of Cyberspace characters played by senior students from each school.
