Sabrina D’Angelo as Zen the Pigeon Girl.
It’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival time again and families with kids don’t have to miss out. Darebin Arts is showcasing some left of centre comedic talent at the Northcote Town Hall during the festival. We were fortunate enough today to be in the audience for a performance of “Zen the Pigeon Girl”. A one woman performance by Sabrina D’Angelo, Zen the Pigeon girl chronicles a epic journey as Zen (half pigeon-half girl) searches for her lost mother (full pigeon). The show featured an Avon splurging cosmic octopus, puppets, songs, a ukelele and a “crampoline” – part trampoline, part crumpet, that the younger audience members got their groove on at the end of the show. Sound a avant grade? It was. It was also laugh out loud funny for audience members of every age.
For this mum who has fallen asleep in at least one children’s panto, Zen the Pigeon Girl was a refreshing reminder that children’s entertainment is not necessarily only for kids. Forget incessant chanting of “He’s behind you!”. Like much good comedy the show also incorporated poignant moments and reflection, in this case touching on the loss of a parent. D’Angelo’s day job is as a clown doctor administering comic therapy to unwell children in a variety of NSW children’s hospitals. Her sensitivity regarding loss was clearly evident in this production.
I attended the one hour show with my four year old, six year old and twelve month old baby. Both older children loved the show and by some miracle the baby sat transfixed during the entire performance. Getting the kids dancing on a giant trampoline-crumpet cross – absurd and genius at once.
While I have taken the kids to other children’s performances, this was the first Comedy Festival performance we have ever attended. As a result of the show today I’d have three recommends for other families:
(1) Those of you in Melbourne, go and check out Zen the Pigeon Girl during it’s run a the Northcote Town Hall until the 10th of April.
(2) Check out the other kids comedy shows at the Northcote Town Hall and other Melbourne International Comedy Festival venues (there are heaps of kids shows!).
(3) If you enjoy traveling with your own kids consider planning a trip to Melbourne to co-incide with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
For a full list of all Melbourne International Comedy Festival performances for kids have a look here.
Bubs on the Move provides tips and advice for parents traveling with small children including attraction and accommodation reviews. I’d love for ya’ll to join us on our adventures by either signing up for the newsletter, joining us on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest and Instagram to receive updates.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Darebin Arts for our complimentary tickets.
Apology: Bub 2 is very, very sorry for breaking Zen the Pigeon girl’s bubble gun.
