Where some see abandon and chaos, others see the child’s ability to transform their surroundings into places of wonder and delight.

Inspired by the true story of three German children who set off to elope under the African sun, broken toys, puppets, and sun-faded furniture are the props that feed the theatre of the imagination in My Darling Patricia’s Africa.

Exploring the resilient powers of imagination, fantasy and escape in the lives of children, Africa is work for adults told from a child’s perspective, and is a rich continuation of the company’s juxtaposition of the domestic with the fantastic in suburban Australian contexts.

“It is a dream that has been shared by lovers across the centuries – the chance to elope to exotic lands. But few would have been as bold and spontaneous as six-year-old Mika and his five-year-old sweetheart Anna-Bell who, after mulling over their options in secret, packed their suitcases on New Year’s Eve and set off from the German city of Hanover to tie the knot under the heat of the African sun.” The Guardian

“One of the achievement of Africa is its emotional honesty: how it at once expresses human resilience – the ability to generate beauty from the “rag and bone shop of the heart” – and the incorrigibility of damage and loss. Realised with an admirable skill, it’s funny, beautiful and heartbreaking. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket to this one.” The Australian

Africa was shortlisted for the Helpmann Award for Best Physical or Visual Theatre production.

My Darling Patricia’s website