Some days a quiet picnic on a melting ice floe is not as straightforward as it seems. With a creak, a crunch and a splash, the best-laid plans can be cut adrift and a man can only surrender to the deep ebb and flow of daydreams, memories and magic…

Wrapped in a dazzling set that unfolds like a surreal pop-up book, this tender, touching adventure finds the calm harbour between acrobatic suspense, extreme hilarity and poignant themes of family, loss and love.

Acclaimed physical theatre playwright-performer Wolfe Bowart presents the spectacular and enchanting The Man the Sea Saw.Bowart brings the story to life employing circus skills and clown theatre, stage illusion, small and large-scale puppetry, audience participation, interactive film and lashings of comedy – a wholestage visual composition. This original work of theatre captivates young and young-at-heart audiences aged from 6 to 96. His renowned production LaLaLuna and Letter’s End have been staged at various international arts festival such as Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Adelaide Festival, London International Mime Festival, etc. The group has been invited to perform in different cities in Australia and they have toured worldwide including Greece, New Zealand, Brazil, Hong Kong, etc.

In 2011 Wolfe Bowart embarked on a 66-show national tour with The Man the Sea Saw that spanned 27 regional and metropolitan venues across Australia. The tour included a season at the 2011 Sydney Children’s Festival, where it attracted multi-generational audience members, and concluded in Perth at His Majesty’s Theatre, where The Man the Sea Saw headlined. Nominee of 2012 Australian Helpmann Award – Best Visual/ Physical Theatre Productio.

The tale sees snow coming to make flowers become even more brilliant. In the story, a sudden blizzard leads to a touching and genuine friendship between a little snowman and a sunflower. A simple commitment leads the little snowman to begin a journey to trace the sun, and he comes to believe that it is destiny to face parting and a reunion. If he commits to his promise, a reunion can still be expected.

The children’s puppet theatre performance tells the story of a ballerina, Crystal, from the angle of her ballet shoes. Crystal initially took up ballet because she was attracted by the pretty tutu. She enjoyed her first taste of success, but pressure from her family for spending time on ballet instead of on her studies made her want to give up. Eventually she managed to win her mother’s support by showing her what she could do on the stage. She then won a scholarship to go to Mainland China, and even took a teaching position as Assistant Ballet Mistress.

But just as she was on her way to stardom, she fell down in a rehearsal. Now she only sits in her wheelchair and weeps. Can Crystal ever walk again and continue to pursue her dream? Can the ballet shoes that have accompanied her throughout the years inspire her in any way?

This touching story from the talented puppet troupe follows on from their highly popular 2010 production “The Lovable Scavenger”. The Child King is more than a merrymaker, he’s carefree and provides a sparkle within our hearts, guiding us through the city’s narrow alleys in search of innocence and the fantastic. This multimedia production combines colourful puppet imagery, newly composed music and video projections, promising a spectacular all-round performance. Travelling between heaven and earth with the Child King, the audience will be reminded of long-lost dreams and innocence.