Bluey's Big Play Stage Show Brings Beloved Heeler Family to Life Across Australia
The acclaimed stage adaptation of the hit children's cartoon Bluey is currently touring Australian venues, bringing the beloved Heeler family to life through innovative puppetry and original storytelling. Bluey's Big Play transforms the animated adventures of the blue heeler family into a captivating live theatrical experience that has captured hearts globally.
From Broadway Puppeteer to Bluey Believer
Puppeteer Jacob Williams, with 25 years of experience including work on Broadway's King Kong, initially knew nothing about Bluey when first approached six years ago to help adapt the cartoon for the stage. "I had been working in New York on King Kong on Broadway so I hadn't heard of Bluey at all," Williams explains. Despite this unfamiliarity, he collaborated with the show's producers to create a theatrical version that would eventually become an international phenomenon.
"And then all of a sudden, I just see Bluey everywhere: on the TV, in the bookstores. Then the rest is history. It's sort of taken over the world," Williams says. This global reach was significantly boosted when The Walt Disney Company acquired international screening rights in 2019, transforming the ABC children's show from Brisbane into a worldwide sensation that beams Australian suburban tales into living rooms across continents.
Universal Family Dynamics with Australian Flavour
Williams emphasizes that while Bluey possesses distinct Australian characteristics, particularly Brisbane influences, the show's core appeal lies in its relatable family dynamics. "We all come from families and we all know those family dynamics, whether we're parents or whether we just existed in a family as siblings," he notes. "But Bluey also has a really unique Australian flavour, and particularly a Brisbane flavour."
The stage production features an original 45-minute story created specifically for the theatre, marking a significant departure from the television show's typical seven-minute episodes. Williams worked closely with Bluey creator Joe Brumm to develop this extended narrative. "It's the first time Joe wrote a full 45-minute version of the show, because normally he's only writing in seven minutes. So that was a real learning curve for him, and he really embraced it as a great challenge," Williams explains.
Giant Puppets and Global Stages
The theatrical magic of Bluey's Big Play comes to life through impressive giant puppets, with the Bandit puppet standing over six feet tall and requiring two adult puppeteers to operate. These substantial puppets are designed to command large venues, from 5,000-seat American theatres to 2,000-seat Australian arenas. "We play big, big stages. Arenas. We've played the 5000-seat theatres in America and even 2000-seat theatres here in Australia. So they need to be big," Williams says. "So even if you've got a seat right up the back, the view is fantastic."
The production has graced prestigious international venues including Madison Square Garden, the Sydney Opera House, and London's Theatre Royal. "It's pretty surreal where this little puppy takes us," Williams remarks about the show's remarkable journey.
Australian Tour and Audience Enthusiasm
Following recent performances in Spain and with an Asian tour planned later this year, Williams expresses particular joy about bringing the homegrown production back to Australian audiences for the first time since 2021. "We're just so thankful that we're back in Australia and we really love seeing how enthusiastic the Australian audiences are to see the show again," he says.
Williams notes that Australian audiences match international enthusiasm, with specific local touches enhancing the experience. "The Australian audiences, they've matched anywhere else in the world (for enthusiasm). We have ibises opening the show, just grazing on the lawn, and the audience just see those bin chickens straight away and just lock into the show."
Current Australian Tour Dates
Bluey's Big Play is currently touring multiple Australian venues:
- Goldfields Art Centre, Kalgoorlie - February 11
- Albany Entertainment Centre - February 13-14
- The Regal Theatre, Subiaco - February 18 to March 1
- Mandurah Performing Arts Centre - March 4
- Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre - March 6-7
- Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton - March 11
- Red Earth Arts Precinct, Karratha - March 14-15
This extensive tour brings the beloved Bluey characters to communities across Western Australia and beyond, offering families a unique opportunity to experience their favourite cartoon dogs in a spectacular live theatrical setting.
