CDP Theatre Producers, Room On The Broom

ABOUT

The international smash hit returns!


CDP presents Tall Stories' production of

ROOM ON THE BROOM

adapted from the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, published by Macmillan Children's books.


How the cat purred and how the witch grinned,
As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind…

The witch and her cat are flying happily on their broomstick – until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand.

A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch's lost things, and they all hop on the broom for a ride. But this broomstick's not meant for five and – CRACK – the broom snaps in two!

When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?

Following sell-out seasons across Australia, the team behind The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child return with songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up - and their grown-ups...


Duration: 55 mins, no interval
Recommended for children aged 3+ and their adults.

CAST

Autumn 2024 Australian Tour



Katie Burson

KATIE BURSON – Witch

Katie Burson graduated from Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts in 2009 (Bachelor of Performing Arts - Acting). Her recent performance credits include; Storyworlds (Auckland Theatre Company), Drama Gone Viral (Co Theatre Physical), Acts of Love (Auckland Arts Festival), award-winning Monarch (Co Theatre Physical/Auckland Live), Pool(no water) (Basement Theatre), and Room on the Broom (CDP Theatre Producers).

Katie is delighted to be returning to Room on the Broom as Witch, having previously toured throughout Australia and New Zealand in 2019 and 2020 in the role of Cat.

Katie has co-devised a number of original theatre works, including; Royal Jelly and Get Out Of My Letterbox for Co Theatre Physical, One by One and Alfonsina for LAB Theatre, and Afakasi (Antonia Kamu/Red Leap). In 2019, she completed a 10-month arts residency at Studio One Toi Tū and continues to develop her practice as a theatre-maker in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Having trained in classical and modern dance (BAL, JDNZ), Katie is particularly passionate about physical theatre and clowning and regularly tours educational works throughout New Zealand schools and theatres.

Katie is a proud Equity NZ member and is represented by Auckland Actors.



Nina Carcione

NINA CARCIONE -  Cat

Raised in Fremantle, Western Australia, Nina is a 2021 graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (Bachelor of Music Theatre), and a 2017 graduate of Brent Street (Diploma of Music Theatre). Notable roles from her time at QCGU include Jan in Grease at QPAC (dir. Alister Smith), and Dance Captain/Serena in Legally Blonde (dir. Penny Farrow).

Nina starred in the Hayes Theatre Company/Neglected Musicals 2022 production of Brigadoon in the role of Maggie (dir. Shaun Rennie), and has recently finished up on Fergus Ferry: The Musical (dir. Liesel Baddorek). She is represented by Aran Michael Management and has been a proud member of Actor’s Equity since 2021.

Nina made her touring debut with CDP Theatre Producers in The Gruffalo in 2023, and she is thrilled to be joining the cast of Room on the Broom.

 

Tom Gustard

TOM GUSTARD – Dog/Frog

Tom is a graduate of WAAPA’s music theatre course, completing his BA in 2017. Most recently, Tom was cast as Boris for a workshop and filming of the brand new stage adaptation of Fergus Ferry: The Musical. Tom has also recently toured NSW as part of Children’s Book Week 2023 in Way Too Cool.

Tom was seen in WTC’s production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as Adam/Felicia. In 2022 Tom was fortunate enough to appear in Packemin’s production of Kinky Boots as one of The Angels.

Stage credits whilst at WAAPA include; Kurt Kelly in Heathers: The Musical, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oscar in 42nd Street as well as being featured in both RENT and Bring It On: The Musical.

Tom first toured with CDP in 2023 in the cast of The Gruffalo, and he is thrilled to be joining the Australian tour of Room on the Broom.



Nicholas Starte

NICHOLAS STARTE – Bird/Dragon

Nicholas Starte has toured in The Midnight Gang, Billionaire Boy and several other productions with CDP, including Guess How Much I Love You, The 13-Storey Treehouse and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.

Previously he performed in Legally Blonde the Musical and A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as appearing in short films A Room That Fits and Lonesome Town. He made his feature film debut in 2017 as the lead in the independent film Broken and in 2015 he made his television debut on The Ex-PM with Shaun Micallef.

His first stage role was with Black Swan Theatre Company in Dust after graduating from WAAPA, where he played David in Love and Money, Horatio in Hamlet, Kenneth Lay in Enron, and the title role in Julius Caesar, winning the Sally Burton Award for performance in Shakespeare. Nicholas performed and directed theatre, musical theatre and circus performance while part of the Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble and Dramatic Society, including directing Sweeney Todd and assistant directing The Mystery of Edwin Drood.




CREATIVES

Original Director: Olivia Jacobs
Creative Producer: Toby Mitchell
Tall Stories Associate Director Australia/NZ: Sam Conway
CDP Associate Director Australia/NZ: Liesel Badorrek
Designer: Morgan Large
Lighting Designer: James Whiteside
Puppets: Yvonne Stone
Music and Lyrics: Jon Fiber, Andy Shaw and Robin Price
Music Production: Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw for Shock Productions


CREW

Technical Stage Manager: Elliot Glass
Assistant Stage Manager: Rae Anderson

REVIEWS

Australia


"Room on the Broom will delight children…
and adults should have fun taking them."

The Age


"Charming, quality theatre... 4 stars"

The Sunday Telegraph


"Kids three to eight...delighted by the show"

The Sunday Telegraph


"This lively, accomplished Australian production…makes the most of its multi-skilled cast… cleverly done… a rollicking ride."

Sydney Morning Herald


"My four year old… [is] keen to see Room on the Broom again… surely the best measure of success for any play."

Sydney Morning Herald


"The children were enthralled… truly wonderful"

Whats On 4 Kids



International

"The audience is...entranced"

The Independent


"A truly theatrical feast that leaves both adults
and children fully entertained. Five stars"

The List


"Winning performances, jaunty songs and some delightful puppetry…
Undeniably charming. Four stars"

Time Out


"55 minutes of high-energy treat"

Sunday Times


"I want to see it again. Now please, mummy"

Sunday Times reviewer's child

ACCESS


We believe in making our shows accessible for children with additional sensory and learning needs.

A visual story is available for Room on the Broom to help you prepare for your visit to the theatre.


Visual DOWNLOAD VISUAL STORY


Accessible performances may be available at some venues. Please check with your local venue for details.

For additional online resources to extend the theatre experience, visit CDP Digital.

Teachers and registered homeschoolers can also access education activities and resources at CDP Education.

TOP

TOUR DATES


2024 TOUR DATES



NSW

Sydney

1 – 3 October 2024
The Concourse, Chatswood





QLD

Brisbane

27 – 29 September 2024
QUT Gardens Theatre





VIC

Melbourne

6 – 7 October 2024
Athenaeum Theatre