Combining live music with story and song, Bettongs & Buddies is returning to Adelaide Fringe to have audiences laughing, cheering and positively inspired to protect our indigenous wildlife.

Creator Gigi Pinwill’s award-winning children’s theatre show celebrating Australia’s rare and endangered wildlife, stars Curtis Shipley (Pirates on the Popeye, Unplotted Potter – Scriptease), Melanie Munt (Lockie Leonard), and Sally Armstrong (The Summer Orchestra, Burnside Symphony, Adelaide Fusion Pops Orchestra) with dramaturgy by renowned film and television veteran, Mark Knight.

“Growing up on an Australian farm, I’ve always felt a deep connection to animals,” Gigi says. “This bond is at the heart of ‘Bettongs & Buddies’ and is something I’m eager to share on the 2024 Fringe stages.”

The story follows protagonist, Rufous, a young bettong and wannabe violinist, embarking on an adventure through the bush where he learns what it means to be an important member of the ecosystem.

Each new animal buddy Rufous meets on his adventure gives him a gift which, when put together at the end of the show, will form one very special surprise that will strike a chord.

The production has been featured at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Fringe in the Hills, Kangaroo Island Bush Festival, and toured through regional South Australia, supported by organisations like the SA Arid Lands Landscapes Board and Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, ‘Bettongs & Buddies’ emphasises wildlife conservation.

Bettongs & Buddies will show at The Garden of Unearthly Delights, LE CASCADEUR Sat 17th February -
Mon 11th March: 2pm
(See Fringe website for Auslan-interpreted dates).

Grab your tickets HERE