Sesame Street is one of the longest running, and most influential, television shows ever made.
It has been on-air so long now, and screened in so many countries internationally, that it is possible to have grown up with this colourful community of monsters, animals and humans, have had your children grow up with them and now see their children also growing up with the show.
The idea behind Sesame Street in the mid-1960s was to take the relatively nascent medium of television and provide education for pre-schoolers. Fundamentals, such as literacy and numeracy, are part of the content, along with basic life skills, such as how to cross the road safely, eat well and maintain proper hygiene.
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Using a dynamic mix of live action, animated cartoons, puppets, games, songs and sketch comedy to maintain the attention of little ones, their older siblings and even encourage parents to watch and participate in the education of their kids, the show is also about empowering pre-schoolers in other key ways, teaching them to be strong, confident and kind.
One of the show’s creators, television producer Joan Ganz Conney, has been quoted as saying that they called it Sesame Street after the saying “open sesame” as it conveys the idea this is a place where exciting things happen.
Everyone is welcome on this inclusive and diverse inner-city street, which is largely populated by a cast of Jim Henson’s Muppets. These quirky characters – such as Oscar The Grouch, a bin-dwelling cantankerous monster, the carb-loading Cookie Monster, and Count Von Count, a vampire obsessed with counting things – have resonated with audiences for generations and hold a special place in the hearts of viewers.
While the television show has aired over 4500 episodes, for those wanting a screen-free Sesame Street fix these school holidays, there’s a brand new theatre show currently touring. Elmo’s Circus Dream! will be live on stage in suburbs across Melbourne.
Elmo, an adorable red fluffy monster Muppet whose popularity and profile has long since transcended the confines of the Street to become a pop culture phenomenon in their own right, will be larger-than-life and onstage, with friends Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Grover and Bert and Ernie.
The show begins with Elmo’s enchanting bedtime story about the circus, which soon leads to Elmo and his Sesame Street friends being magically transported to a dreamtime circus, where some internationally renowned circus performers will dazzle and delight with their impressive acrobatic displays, jaw dropping juggling acts, and mind-bending illusions.
The high-energy show also includes plenty of songs (including the iconic Sesame Street theme song), dance numbers, vibrant costumes and the unforgettable memories of a live theatre performance.
Just like the TV program that inspired it, Elmo’s Circus Dream is more than just a show, and the immersive experience is intended to ignite the imaginations of children, encourage self-expression and teach valuable life lessons in a fun and engaging way.
Elmo’s Circus Dream is presented by Showtime, an Australian entertainment company who have the local rights to the biggest and latest licenses in children’s entertainment, including major worldwide brands, such as Nickelodeon, Universal, DreamWorks, Warner Bros, and many more.
While they have previously toured a Sesame Street circus show, organisers say “Elmo’s Circus Dream is an entirely new show that will tour theatres around Australia in 2023-2024”.
Elmo and his Sesame Street friends are performing two shows a day, at 10am and then 1pm. Their first stop on the tour is the Frankston Arts Centre this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (Sept 20-22); then onto the Palais Theatre in Geelong, from Sunday 24 – Wed 27 September; and then finishing up the school holidays with another four days at The Clocktower Centre in Moonee Ponds, Thu 28 – Sun 1 October.
Tickets are $33.50 for general admission, although there’s also a VIP option. For $69 you will enjoy premium seating, a photo with Elmo after the show and a showbag. Big Bird will be available for photos pre-show at the foyer of the venue, and those will cost $25 each and come framed. (Children under 18 months of age do not require tickets, although they are required to sit on the lap of their parent or guardian during the show)
Combining the magic and mirth of Muppets with amazing acts of circus in this brand new theatre show, Elmo’s Circus Dream will leave you smiling from ear to ear and have you, your kids and your grand kids believe that anything is possible.
For details and tickets visit www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au. Follow them on Facebook here and Instagram here.
This article was made in partnership with Elmo’s Circus Dream.
