Emil and the Detectives
BY ERICH KÄSTNER, ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY NICKI BLOOM
I live in Newtown.
With my mum, Who works hard as a hairdresser to earn enough money for us both.
My dad is dead. I don’t have a brother or a sister. Friends?
It’s not that I don’t like the other kids at school.
But –
Some of them can be mean, and I’d just rather be on my own, ok?
It’s the school holidays, which are my mum’s busiest times. And she trusts me with an important job.
She has saved up her money to give to my grandmother.
Who lives in the city.
So much money.
One hundred and fifty. And I’m in charge of delivering it. This will be my first time away from home by myself.
Mum gives me a badge that used to belong to my dad.
And I use it to pin the money safely to the inside of my jacket pocket.
Mum takes me to the train station where I board the train to the city. I wave to her as the train pulls away.
In the carriage there’s a man wearing a bowler hat.
Who seems friendly.
But he’s also kind of strange. He says his name is Mr Grundeis. He offers me a cup of tea. And I drink it.
But then I start to feel sick and before I know it –
Everything starts to look weird and I can’t stay awake anymore.
When I wake up.
The train is at the big city station. The man in the bowler hat has left the carriage.
My badge is still in place.
But when I check my jacket pocket. There’s nothing there. The money has gone. That man has taken it.
I have to follow him.
It’s not easy keeping track of someone in a big city.
And I nearly lose him dozens of times.
I think about going to the police, but –
I can’t.
Because of something I did at home.
I don’t want to talk about it.
I don’t know what to do.
I’m all alone in a city I don’t know. And I have no money. But then –
A horn sounds in my ear.
And that’s how I meet Gustav.
I tell him what has happened and he offers to help.
Gustav honks his horn again. And all the kids in town come running.
We hatch a plan.
We will all work together.
To track down the thief. And get my mum’s money back. It’s not easy.
Emil and the Detectives
Slingsby
Starring
Elizabeth Hay & Rory Walker
Director
Andy Packer
Playwright
Nicki Bloom
Composer & Sound Design
Quincy Grant Designer
Wendy Todd
Costume Designer
Ailsa Paterson
Lighting Designer
Geoff Cobham
Technical Design
Chris Petridis
Animation Director
Luku Trembath
Production Manager
Tom Bayford
Technical Operator
Clinton Camac
Stage Manager
Jess Wolfendale
Assistant Stage Manager
Taylor Dawson
Based on Kaurna Meyunna Country, Adelaide, Slingsby was founded in 2007. The company is internationally renowned for emotionally powerful storytelling for an intergenerational audience, aged 8 and up. Slingsby’s original productions draw audiences into immersive theatrical realms through exceptional stagecraft. Each Slingsby show is an invitation into a magical world, transporting audiences to a time and place that is at once breathtaking, and familiar.
1hr 10mins no interval
Suitable for ages 8+
Contains lighting effects, smoke/haze effects
Slingsby has premiered 12 original productions, 10 of these have toured regionally, nationally and/or internationally, through 12 countries and all states and territories of Australia with repertoire in high demand. With an international reputation as a distinctive and cherished company with repeat invitations to prestigious festivals and venues across the globe.
As a celebrated ambassador for Australia’s creativity, Slingsby has received prestigious accolades (including four Ruby Awards, a Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children and the IPAY Showcase Victor Award), a testament to the company’s renown for excellence in theatre making and life long impact on the lives of audiences of all ages.
Scan the QR Code to listen to Emil’s synopsisTe Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki / Auckland Arts Festival (AAF) champions change-making, the environment, ambitious ideas, powerful voices and unique experiences that open our eyes, our hearts and our minds.
The Festival takes place each March in New Zealand’s largest city, and reflects its contemporary, multicultural nature.
AAF challenges its community to be courageous, to be bold, and to explore new ways of reflecting the world around us.
Through the incredible work of artists here in Aotearoa and across the globe, we aim to unify, uplift and inspire our audiences – the people of Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa and all who visit.
Board of Trustees /
Te Poari Kaitiaki
John Judge (Chair)
Angela Clatworthy
Evan Davies
Eleshea D’Souza
Sarah Judkins
Graham Tipene
Fred Ward
Angela Watson
Chief Executive /
Kaiwhakahaere Matua
Robbie Macrae
Artistic Director / Kaitohu Toi
Shona McCullagh mnzm
Kaihautū Māori
Ataahua Papa
CORPORATE PATRONS
MAJOR FUNDERS
PATRONS
PLATINUM
Janet Clarke & John Judge
Kent Gardner & Ngaere Duff
Sir Roderick and Gillian, Lady Deane
Andrew & Jenny Smith
Christine & Richard Didsbury
SILVER
Julie & Brian Cadzow
Jeremy Collins Family
FUNDING PARTNERS
John & Jo Gow
Sir Chris & Lady Dayle Mace
Rochelle McLaren
BRONZE
John Barnett
Frances Bell
John Billington QC
Anonymous
Graham Cleary
Sally Woodfield & David Inns
Dame Jenny Gibbs
Andrew Gelonese & Michael Moore
Sonbol & Farzbod Taefi
Lady Philippa Tait
Fred & Nicky Ward
JADE
Jenny Anderson
Mark & Angela Clatworthy
Amber Coulter & Andrew Lewis
Tracey Haszard & Phil Sargent
Vanessa Morgan
Kate Plaw
Geoff & Fran Ricketts
Christopher Simcock & Camilla Hope-Simcock
Anthony & Sandra Grant