The school holidays are the perfect time for creating traditions and a trip to the theatre is the perfect place to start. For visitors to Sydney and locals alike, watching a show at the Sydney Opera House is a real treat. We started the new year off in the audience of The 78-Storey Treehouse.
The 78-Storey Treehouse
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I don’t think there are many primary school aged kids who haven’t read or at least heard of Andy Griffith and Terry Denton’s Treehouse series. The series details their adventures in their ever expanding treehouse (each year sees more additions to their home). Andy does the writing, Terry the illustrations. I don’t think there’s been a release where my kids haven’t begged to get a copy.
The fifth book, the 78-Storey Treehouse, has been adapted for the stage by Richard Tulloch and is currently showing at the Sydney Opera House. Of course, there are no longer 65 storeys, with the addition of a Scribbletorium and a high-security potato chip storage facility, as well as a few other things, there are now 78 storeys!
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The theatre production sees Mr Big Shot (and his rather large rear end) arrive at the 78-Storey treehouse to turn Andy and Terry’s stories into a blockbuster movie. However, Andy soon gets fired and is replaced by a gibbon called Mel Gibson. Throw in a couple of spy cows, a new machine which is a whole lot of fun, and potato chips.
The 78-Storey Treehouse Kid Tested
Disclaimer: we were hosted by the Sydney Opera House. The kids rankings are not influenced by this at all. We try to provide, transparent and honest reviews to assist you to decide which shows to attend.
Recommended for kids aged 6+, we took along Striker (aged 11) and Sunshine (aged 9). I noticed both laughed throughout. There were lots of “I remember this..,” and “I like how they imagined that….” as both had read the book but have read further ones that have been released.
Striker gave the show a 7/10 and is perhaps ready to see more sophisticated theatre productions to keep him amused and focused.
Sunshine gave the show an 8.5/10 and is still talking about it. She was quite focused throughout the show, grabbing my arm to point out things she noticed as the story unfolded. “Andy never stopped! He was singing and dancing and trying really hard to work out how to get back in the movie. It’s good he realised that the illustrations in the books are just as important as his narrations. The cows were hilarious!”
As an adult viewing, I think I’m getting old and was restless in sections. However, I thought it was good, clean fun. I think the message was a little muddled. Still unsure if they really addressed how friends should act when one is left out or how to be inclusive. I was also a little taken aback by both Andy and Terry’s focus on self, neither finding it easy to see each others perspective throughout much of the show. But the audience were very receptive and there was lots of laughter.
A wonderful surprise was the addition of song and dance embedded throughout the narrative. Both the kids and I find ourselves spontaneously singing “Andy, Andy, Andy” from the production at random moments.
Definitely a must see for fans of the Treehouse series!
The 78-Storey Treehouse Shows
Please note all shows are on at the Sydney Opera House
- Thursday, 4 January at 10am, 12pm and 2pm
- Friday, 5 January at 10am and 12pm
- Saturday, 6 January at 10am, 12pm and 2pm
- Sunday, 7 January at 10am and 12pm
- Tuesday, 9 January at 3.30pm and 5.30pm
- Wednesday, 10 January at 10am, 12pm and 2pm
- Friday, 12 January at 2.30pm and 4.30pm
- Saturday, 13 January at 2.30pm*, 4.30pm and 6.30pm
- Sunday, 14 January at 2.30pm and 4.30pm
- Monday, 15 January at 10am and 12pm
- Wednesday, 17 January at 3.30pm† and 5.30pm
- Thursday, 18 January at 10am‡ and 12pm
- Friday, 19 January at 3.30pm and 5.30pm
- Saturday, 20 January at 10am and 12pm
- Sunday, 21 January at 10am and 12pm
* – Relaxed Performance
†- Audio described performance
‡ -AUSLAN-interpreted performance
The 78-Storey Treehouse is approximately 1 hour in duration and contains no interval.
Tickets for The 78-Storey Treehouse
Standard tickets from $39.00 + $8.50 booking fee. FREE for kids 2 years and under sitting on a knee
Tickets are on sale now to the general public.
To purchase tickets to The 78-Storey Treehouse, click here.
FREE Creative Play at the Sydney Opera House
I’d encourage any of you nearby to drop in for the free Creative Play activities that are happening at the Sydney Opera House these school holidays. There are four stations to move through where your kids can earn wrist bands for completing each stage. There may be a queue, so get in early (and its free for EVERYONE not just those at the house for a show).