Saltbush
current Project
Children’s Cheering Carpet – Saltbush is an immersive and interactive journey through the culture and language of Aboriginal Australia.
Saltbush is a plant that can be found across Australia, and so it represents a common thread between Indigenous nations and First Nations peoples. This shared idea acted as a point of inspiration for the narrative, contemporary painting, dance, and instrumental music created by First Nations artists. These artistic forms were used as a means of interpreting the natural features of the landscape.
Saltbush
centres on the journey of two friends and their spiritual guide on foot as they
cross Australian landscapes – river country, an urban landscape, desert, and
the sea. The journey is one of discovering the land, growing an understanding,
and acknowledging how it shapes and inspires personal journeys.
Through its use of sensor and infrared cameras, Saltbush allows young audiences
to interact, play and perform in the show. It also provides a unique experience
for parents and teachers as they witness the children become involved.
TPO’s award-winning artistry in multi-media theatre for young people is combined with the work of acclaimed First Nations artists working with members of the TPO company – composer Lou Bennett (Yorta Yorta/ Dja Dja Wurrung) with Spartaco Cortesi (Italy), visual artist Delwyn Mannix (Wangkangurru) with Digital Designer: Elsa Mersi & Rossano Monti (Italy), choreography Deon Hastie (Tjapukai) with Anna Balducci, Sasha Zahra (dramaturgy) with artistic direction of Insite Arts director Jason Cross and TPO director Davide Venturini.
The 2026 regional tour of Saltbush was generously supported by the Creative Australia Playing Australia Fund and presented in partnership with Arena Theatre Company.
Performance History
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
Canberra Theatre Centre
Canberra, ACT, Aus
Hothouse Theatre
Wodonga, VIC, Aus
Lighthouse Theatre
Warrnambool, VIC, Aus
RoxbyLink Auditorium
Roxby Downs, SA, Aus
Middleback Arts Centre
Whyalla, SA, Aus
SALT Festival
Port Lincoln, SA, Aus
Hangzhou Grand Theatre
China
Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre
China
Art Space for Kids – Shanghai
China
Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre
China
Sydney, Australia
Bibu Festival, Helsingborg Arena →
Helsingborg, Sweden
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Xi'an Music Hall
China
Kunshan Hubnovo
China
Linping Hubnovo
China
Netherlands
Grounded – Adelaide
Australia
Chengdu Play House
China
Tianjin Arts Centre
China
Zhengzhou New Arts Centre
China
Wyndham Cultural Centre – Werribee
Australia
Wuhan
China
Suzhou
China
Ningbo
China
SESC Belenzinho – São Paulo
Brazil
State Theatre Centre – Perth
Australia
Albany Entertainment Centre
Australia
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
Australia
Arts Margaret River
Australia
Darwin Entertainment Centre
Australia
Godinymayin Yijard Arts and Cultural Centre – Katherine
Australia
Desert Harmony Festival – Tennant Creek
Australia
Manning Entertainment Centre – Taree
Australia
Bathurst Memorial Centre
Australia
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre – Nowra
Australia
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre – Penrith
Australia
Frankston Arts Centre
Australia
Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Australia
Colac-Otway Performing Arts Centre
Australia
Sydney Opera House
Australia
Riverside Theatres – Parramatta
Australia
Shanghai
China
First China Family Festival – Shanghai
China
Sendai
Japan
New Victory Theater – New York
USA
Adam Smith Theatre – Kircaldy
Scotland
Universal Hall – Findhorn
Scotland
Tron Theatre – Glasgow
Scotland
Beacon Arts Centre
Scotland
Kijimuna Festa
Japan
Szene Bunte Wähne
Austria
International Performing Arts for Youth
USA
Taipei Children’s Arts Festival
China
Macau Cultural Centre
China
Musee De Quai Branly
France
Assitej Korea Summer Festival
South Korea
National Theatre of Korea
South Korea
Chuncheon Mime Festival
South Korea
Goeje Arts Centre
South Korea
Lig Arts Centre
South Korea
Adelaide Festival Centre
Australia
Castlemaine State Festival
Australia
Artplay – Melbourne
Australia
Sydney Opera House
Australia
Campbelltown Arts Centre – Sydney
Australia
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre – Penrith
Australia
Riverside Theatres – Parramatta
Australia
Teatro Metastasio Stabile Della Toscana
Italy
Come Out Festival – Adelaide
Australia
Artplay – Melbourne
Australia
Media
“Children’s theatre doesn’t get any better than this. This inspired array of Italian and Aboriginal artists is the perfect fusion of dance, art and breathtaking digital design.”
“Created for children aged four to eight, the show is an impressive and ingenious combination of modern technology with the traditions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures of Australia.”
“A sumptuous interactive journey of movement and colour through Aboriginal Australia.”
Credits
Supporters
