Regions

ARCO (Jnr/Snr)

Adam Kelly
Upcoming
20–21 August
Darwin Festival, Darwin Community Arts
Darwin, NT

A Compelling Story of Yearning and Optimism

Adam Kelly is, in his words, an autistic gentleman. His friend Finbar is a fish. Adam thinks that asking someone what it feels like to live with autism is pretty much like asking a fish (i.e. Finbar) if it knows it’s in water, which is pretty funny if you think about it.

ARCO is Adam Kelly’s award-wining show about living with autism, or, in Finbar the fish’s case, living in water. The show takes a heartfelt look at the life and struggles of a young man trying to make connections with the people and world around him. Along the way Adam asks gently of his audience to consider life from his perspective.

ARCO Jnr, a supercharged version of the original for children and families, incorporates exciting animation from Perth-based neurodiverse artist Ben Hollingsworth. Join us as Adam and Finbar dance, draw, fly and joke their way into our hearts.

[A]n unexpected gem of a show. Adam Kelly is perhaps one of the most optimistic people you’ll ever come across and his passion for theatre and zest for life shines through. He is having the time of his life up there on that stage and sharing it with others is a marvellous gift… Why not go and see Adam Kelly and pick up a few techniques to grab life in one enormous bear hug!”

Fourth Wall Media

Credits

Co-creator & Performer
Adam Kelly

Co-creator & Artistic Director
James Berlyn

Dramaturg
Alex Desebrock

Lighting Designer
Peter Young

Sound Designer
Tristen Parr

Animator
Ben Hollingsworth

Arts Mentor
Johanna Keyser

 

Stage Manager
Emily Stokoe

Inaugural Producer
WA Youth Theatre Company

Produced by Performing Lines WA

Current dates & tickets

20–21 August
Darwin Festival, Darwin Community Arts
Darwin, NT
Book now
25–26 August
Riverside Live at PHIVE
Parramatta, NSW
Book now
30 August 2026
Cairns Festival, Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Studio (ARCO Jnr)
Cairns, QLD
Book now
30 August 2026
Cairns Festival, Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Studio (ARCO Snr)
Cairns, QLD
Book now

Information for Presenters

We are currently seeking presentation opportunities for 2025 and beyond.

Full-length documentation video available on request

Age suitability
ARCO Jnr:  7+
ARCO Snr: 15+

Duration
Jnr: 35mins + 15mins Q&A
Snr: 45mins + 15mins Q&A

Touring party
1 performer
2 production crew
1 support worker
Producer (TBC)

Bump In/Out
2-hour bump-in ready to open on the same day.

Preferred performance space
Preferably a semi-circular space 7-10 meters across and up to 5-6m deep.
Small theatres or Black box with a capacity of around 100+ people, and first row of seating at stage level.

Schedule
Max 2 shows per day, 8 shows per week

Melanie Julien-Martial smiles at the camera, she is standing outside and wearing a white top. Melanie Julien-Martial Producer
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Presentation History

2020
Fringe World
Perth, WA
View full Presentation History

Full Presentation History for ARCO (Jnr/Snr)

2020
Fringe World
Perth, WA
2021
AWESOME Festival
Perth, WA
2022
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
Mandurah, WA
Albany Entertainment Centre
Albany, WA
Harvey Recreation Centre
Harvey, WA
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
Bunbury, WA
2023
Arts Centre Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
FUSE International Festvial
London, UK
DreamBIG Festival
Adelaide, SA
2026
Red Earth Arts Precinct Studio Rooms
Karratha, WA
Matt Dann Theatre & Cinema
Port Hedland, WA
Queens Park Theatre
Geraldton, WA
Makuru Arts Festival, Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall
Hamilton Hill, WA

Project Partners & Acknowledgements

ARCO (Jnr/Snr) was originally produced by WA Youth Theatre Company.

ARCO Jnr creative development was supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. The world-premiere of the work was commissioned and presented by AWESOME Festival.

 

 

Hero Image by Cameron Park.

In everything we do, we acknowledge that we live on Aboriginal land and constantly learn from the wisdom of First Peoples.

Where we are and the history that precedes us informs how we work and how we move forward. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.