Info
The Art House Presents
An Australian Chamber Orchestra Production
The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee)
An original play by Finegan Kruckemeyer with music by Bryony Marks
There is the fairytale you know and love. But what isn’t known, what no book has ever recorded, is why exactly the princess was out in the middle of a storm, in the middle of the night, at the end of an adventure. This story, is that story.
A reluctant princess. A grand adventure. A celebration of the small things in life. Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale ‘The Princess & The Pea’, is reimagined in this stunning theatrical production that comes alive with music performed live by the ACO String Quartet.
Written by award-winning playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer (Magic Beach, Are We There Yet?), with an original score by Bryony Marks (Barracuda, Summer Heights High), and directed by Tim McGarry (There’s a Sea in My Bedroom, Boy Swallows Universe), The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee) is an exciting new ACO Families production that will ignite your imagination and heart.
It’s perfect for audiences of all ages who need a reminder that they can be brave, even if they feel scared of the unknown.
“A wonderful mix of drama, adventure, great storytelling, puppetry, and beautiful music by the talented quartet. The children were very engaged."
- Busy City Kids
Note: The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee) is part of The Art House's 2025 Education Programming. Limited seating is available to the General Public.
Note: Each school group performance of The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee) includes a post-show 'Meet The Musicians' session, where students can ask the ACO String Quartet questions about the performance and their instruments. Teachers are advised to factor this into their excursion planning.
For School Group booking inquiries please email: Education@thearthousewyong.com.au
Cast & Creatives
Creatives
Written by Finegan Kruckemeyer
Original Music by Bryony Marks
Directed by Tim McGarry
Production Design by Melanie Liertz
Lighting Design by Ryan McDonald
Vision Design by Laura Turner
Cast
TBC
About The ACO
“The Australian Chamber Orchestra is uniformly high-octane, arresting and never ordinary.” The Australian The Australian Chamber Orchestra lives and breathes music, making waves around the world for their explosive performances and brave interpretations. Steeped in history but always looking to the future, ACO programs embrace celebrated classics alongside new commissions, and adventurous cross-artform collaborations.
Led by Artistic Director Richard Tognetti since 1990, the ACO performs more than 100 concerts each year. Whether performing in Manhattan, New York, or Wollongong, NSW, the ACO is unwavering in their commitment to creating transformative musical experiences.
The ACO applies this same commitment to making and performing work for young audiences, and since 2019 has been commissioning works specifically for children. The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee) is the fourth work in the series, following the success and critical acclaim of How to Catch a Star (2022), There’s a Sea in my Bedroom (2019), and Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (2021, Winner - Best Production for Children, Sydney Theatre Awards).
