YOU ARE A DOUGHNUT
ART MEETS SCIENCE in this biological-musical-comedy for kids, as biology teachers Oesoph A. Gus and Dewey Dean hit the Top End with their award-winning show that explores the ins and outs of the human digestive system.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
You Are A Doughnut offers an all-singin’, all dancin’, all-clownin’ hour of learnin’ in the most entertaining of ways. Produced by That Science Gang, the creative team behind the award-winning The Alphabet of Awesome Science, this new show explores the many twists, turns and intestinal intricacies of the human digestive system.
With sketches, songs, and sensational science demonstrations, show creator and director David Lampard reckons theatre is a great conduit for young minds to absorb information.
“That’s the reason and the purpose for the existence of my company, is the emotional response we can get from kids through theatre, which then inspires kids to engage with science, which is such an important thing to be happening in this day and age.”
Lampard was inspired to start That Science Gang by combining his two passions – biology and theatre – and by his own young curious mind.
“My history is both as a science communicator … as well as a professional theatre creator through opera, cabaret, musical theatre, so this is a smashing together of my two passions,” he says.
“This particular show is a show I’ve been wanting to write my entire life. I remember standing in the backyard of my parent’s place when I was about 11-years-old, and having a real moment of going, ‘what the hell is inside my body? What happens when it goes in as food and comes out as something completely different?’. So, I went to uni as a result, and got into theatre, and it all came together in this show.”
The roles of Oesoph and Dewey are portrayed by much experienced comedic performers Rod Schultz and PJ Oaten. Schultz’s performances include a variety of roles with State Opera SA, and Oaten’s many credits include the role of Barnaby the Bizzy Buzzy Bee in The Fairies.
With music composed by Mark Simeon Ferguson, who has penned tunes for the SA public Primary Schools Music Festival and his arrangements performed by a number of Australia’s major orchestras, this is one spectacular stage show, inspired by the variety show format.
“We’ve created a string of bizarro acts — with a rainbow collection of poop puppets, enzyme-powered ping pong balls, and a poetry reading that has to be seen to be believed,” says Lampard.
“Plus, there’s a very explosive, very farty finale – because, of course!”
You Are A Doughnut
WHEN MON 16 JUN, 5.30PM | TUE 17 JUN, 9.30AM & 12PM
AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
COST $29
INFO yourcentre.com.au
