Highlight

Summer at The Art House presents

Spike The Echinda

19 Jan - 21 Jan 2026 Showing at The Art House Studio

Info Cast & Creatives Reviews

Info

Summer@ The Art House Presents
Spike The Echidna
By Little Wing Puppets

Spike is the story of an echidna who is stolen from his nest by a greedy rat. He hatches from his egg far away from home. A young girl finds him. She is playing alone in the bush because she is being bullied by other children. He has no spikes yet and she doesn’t know what kind of creature he is. She tries to work out where he comes from but accidently puts him in dangerous situations – in the nest of a crocodile, an emu and a turtle. He feels frightened, rejected, alone. As the story unfolds, she helps him to discover where he belongs, and he helps her to find her own “spikes” and stand up to the bullies.

Told with shadow theatre, Spike is an interactive experience for the audience, with lively original music by Mal Webb. It is entertaining and fun, as well as a catalyst for a discussion about difference and belonging. It also about the unique biology of Australian animals, especially the egg-laying echidna. After the performance there is a demonstration of shadow puppetry techniques, introducing children to an expressive hands-on story-telling medium that is highly accessible to young people.

Workshop + Show Package (Kids Only): Add to your child's experience by booking them into the Spike the Echidna & Shadow Puppetry Workshop! Participants will get to see the show and make their own puppet to take home, as well as learn basic shadow puppetry performance techniques. Click here to book.

This performance will take place in our Studio which is general admission unassigned seating

Vacation Care Group booking inquiries please email: [email protected] 

Cast & Creatives

Starring Jenny Ellis

Written By Jenny Ellis & Anne Brooksbank

Composed By Mal Webb

Directed By Jacob Williams & Clare Batholomew

Designed By Jenny Ellis, with design concepts by Richard Bradshaw and Fabrizio Montecchi

Puppets, Sets and Lights By Jenny Ellis, Lauren Redpath, Freya Pitt and Nick Wollan

Reviews

“Best show ever!”
-Trevor, aged 6, Burnie Arts Centre, TAS

 “I loved your show so much!”
- Chloe, aged 8, Arts Denmark, WA

 “Spike is a great show to introduce kids to live theatre and to engage them at an early age with a family show that provides an experience of participation, very different to watching a movie or TV. The kids and parents all loved it and we can’t wait for them to visit again.”
- Andrew Frith, General Manager, Arts Margaret River

 “Wow! Fantastic Show! Will come to another and highly recommend.”
- Audience comments from Margaret River.

 “Beautiful show, amazing puppets.”
- Phoebe, Burrinja Arts Centre, VIC

 “The children thoroughly enjoyed Jenny’s performance and left feeling inspired and engaged, asking many questions.”
- Alma Loreaux, Teacher, St Lukes Grammar School. NSW

 "The kids were very excited, had a lot fun and were very involved. Jenny’s talent and experience as a performer and an artist was extremely impressive. We were all thoroughly entertained. Thank you."
- Meredith Eakin, Teacher, Mosman, NSW

 

 

Venue

The Art House Studio

Times

Mon 19 Jan 2026 - 6PM

Tue 20 Jan 2026 - 10AM (General Public & Vacation Care Groups)

Tue 20 Jan 2026 - 2PM (General Public & Vacation Care Groups)

Wed 21 Jan 2026 - 10AM (General Public & Vacation Care Groups)

Important Information

Duration: 1 hour, no interval

Studio Show: General Admission Unassigned Seating

Recommended for ages 4-12

For Wheelchair & Accessible Bookings, please call the Box Office

Workshop + Show Package: package tickets are available for children only

Tickets

Adult: $20.00
Encore Member: $15.00
Child Under 12: $15.00
Family of 4 (2A, 2C or 1A, 3C): $60.00
Vacation Care Groups: $15.00
Workshop + Show Package: $25.00 (children only)