Adaptation of Josephine Wants to Dance Jackie French , 2006 single work picture book
Issue Details: First known date: 2018... 2018 Josephine Wants to Dance : The Musical
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Josephine is a kangaroo – who loves to dance. Her little brother, Joey, tells her that kangaroos don’t dance, they hop – but Josephine continues to point her toes and leap through the air.

'When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully Josephine learns that there is another way to dance – ballet. As the Ballet company prepared to perform, Josephine snuck into town and peered through the window as the dancers rehearsed. She watched the dancers for hours and hours, then she went home and practiced at night… all alone. She spun, she swirled and pirouetted dreams… and at the end she always curtsied. She desperately wanted to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes.

'On the day of the first performance the Ballet Company was in trouble. The prima ballerina twisted her ankle. The understudy had a splinter in her toe.

'Who could dance the lead role? Who else could leap that high?

'Josephine’s talents are called upon to help save the day. Can she do it, and more importantly, does it matter that she’s a kangaroo?'

Source: Monkey Baa.

Production Details

  • Produced by Monkey Baa Theatre Company between 14 and 24 April 2018.

    Director: Jonathan Biggins.

    Composer: Phillip Scott.

    Choreographer: Tim Harbour.

    Designer: James Browne.

    Lighting Designer: Emma Lockhart-Wilson.


    Produced at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre, firstly in May and again 11-12 October 2018. Cast and crew as above.


    Produced at Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton, 3 August 2018. Cast and crew as above.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Performance Review : Josephine Wants to Dance, Arts Centre Melbourne Isabelle Oderberg , 2024 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , October 2024;

— Review of Josephine Wants to Dance : The Musical Eva Di Cesare , Sandra Eldridge , Tim McGarry , 2018 single work drama

'Not much bounce in this ballet interpretation of the iconic children's book.'

Performance Review : Josephine Wants to Dance, Arts Centre Melbourne Isabelle Oderberg , 2024 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , October 2024;

— Review of Josephine Wants to Dance : The Musical Eva Di Cesare , Sandra Eldridge , Tim McGarry , 2018 single work drama

'Not much bounce in this ballet interpretation of the iconic children's book.'

Last amended 22 Jan 2019 13:37:07
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