Antipodes Theatre Company is proud to present a workshop presentation featuring excerpts from I Can Jump Puddles, a new musical adaptation of the beloved Alan Marshall novel. This workshop is focused on the movement elements of the production, choreographed by Freya List, and features 12 young performers aged 10-18. With book and lyrics by Terence O’Connell and music by Xavier Brouwer, attendees can expect to hear and see over a dozen fully-staged songs from the musical.

I Can Jump Puddles follows Alan Marshall’s journey growing up in drought-riddled rural Victoria at the start of the twentieth century. With aspirations to become a horseman, Marshall is diagnosed with polio, losing his mobility in the prime of his youth. Together with his misfit friends Maggie and Freddie, Marshall and his family seek to overcome their challenges in an uplifting tale of determination and grit. This new Australian work encompasses contemporary issues, such as disability rights and climate change, while embracing the magic realism that colours Marshall's vivid writing style to tell this timeless story about family, friendship and never giving up.

This in-development showcase will take place in the Studio at The Clocktower Centre (750 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds) on Saturday 23 April at 4pm and is open to the public.

Production Team
Director/Writer - Terence O’Connell (he/him)
Composer - Xavier Brouwer (he/him)
Musical Director - Ana Mitsikas (she/her)
Choreographer - Freya List (she/her)
Producers - Antipodes Theatre Company (Brandon Pape, he/him, Artistic Director) and Kristy Griffin (she/her)

Cast
Alan - Act 1...William Wiseman (he/him)
Alan - Act 2...Nicholas Dugdale (he/him)
Maggie...Nelana Ferguson (she/her)
Freddie...Callum Ryan (he/him)
Skeeter / Ensemble...Sebastian Witt (he/him)
Ensemble...Bessie Blazé (she/her)
Ensemble...Oliver Burnes (he/him)
Ensemble...Elena Edwards-Short (all pronouns)
Ensemble...Lada Mekmathayan (she/her)
Ensemble...Gabrielle Rota (she/her)
Ensemble...Lucia Schwerdt (she/her)
Ensemble...Lachlan Young (he/him)