The language of Oscar Wilde comes to life in a magical, immersive performance at the Araluen Arts Centre

The Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre are pleased to present The Young King, an immersive performance for children aged 8 years and older by Slingsby. Journey in Wonder.

“We are thrilled to be presenting a new experience for Alice Springs families, The Young King, which brings the beautiful and achingly tender language of Oscar Wilde together with an immersive internationally acclaimed promenade experience that children and their adults will never forget,” Senior Director of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr. Mark Crees said.

The Young King follows the story of a naïve boy raised by goatherds, who is discovered to be the heir to the kingdom. On the eve of his coronation, he is bestowed with valuable gifts and jewels, but must weigh up the cost of these items with the people he will rule over.

Internationally acclaimed Adelaide theatre company, Slingsby, bring this exceptional children’s theatre piece to Alice Springs for the very first time after a highly-successful and critically acclaimed US tour.

Slingsby Artistic Director, Andy Packer said, “In his tale The Young King, Oscar Wilde employs his trademark alluringly ornate language to draw us into a story that forces us to confront our notions of beauty, leadership and compassion.”

“The Young King will take audiences on a promenade of the Araluen Arts Centre and provide audiences with the chance to immerse themselves in the world of the performance before they even see the actors,” Dr Crees explained.

“This is an exciting experience for children and families with a performance combining majestic language with music and shadow puppetry that explores questions about what it means to lead.”

The Young King will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Tuesday 18 June, 10am and 1.00pm.

Images: The Young King. Photos by Andy Rasheed.