Hunter Drama Newcastle Premiere of Dot & the Kangaroo JR.
- Liane Morris
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
This April school holidays, families and theatre lovers of all ages are in for a treat as Hunter Drama presents the Newcastle premiere of Dot & The Kangaroo JR. Based on Ethel C. Pedley’s beloved 1898 children’s story, this musical adaptation is written by local theatre producer, director, and drama educator Daniel Stoddart and has captivated audiences worldwide. Now, as it comes home to Hunter Drama, the place where Stoddart and his team have nurtured the next generation of performers, it makes this production a particularly special milestone.
The story of Dot & The Kangaroo JR. follows the adventurous Dot, a spirited young girl who finds herself lost in the vast and mysterious Australian bush. Frightened and alone, she is taken under the wing of a wise and nurturing mother Kangaroo. Together, they journey through the wilderness, encountering an array of Australia’s most iconic bush creatures, all coming together to help Dot find her way back home. A musical theatre production filled with catchy songs and colourful characters, it has a universal appeal guaranteed to delight every member of the family, no matter their age.
Daniel Stoddart’s adaptation of Dot & the Kangaroo JR. has achieved remarkable success, joining the prestigious Musical Theatre International (MTI) Broadway JR. catalogue alongside classics like Les Misérables, Annie, The Little Mermaid and Shrek.
“MTI’s catalogue is basically a greatest-hits collection of musical theatre,” Stoddart shares.
“For Dot to take her place among those icons is a real honour. Little Dot is in excellent company! It’s extraordinary knowing that young performers all over the world now have the chance to bring this uniquely Australian story to life on stage.”
The show has been staged across Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.
“It still blows my mind when I hear Dot performed with different accents!” Stoddart
says.
“The most important thing is that they tell the story truthfully, with heart and energy.”
Stoddart’s vision for Dot & the Kangaroo JR. was to create a piece of theatre that celebrated Australian culture and its connection to nature.
“After years of directing and producing Broadway JR. shows at Hunter Drama— everything from The Little Mermaid JR. to
Seussical JR.—I started thinking about how culture is transferred between countries. We grow up with American stories everywhere—on TV, in movies, on stage—but where were the Aussie stories that could stand tall alongside them?” he said.
“I wanted to create something that was unmistakably Australian, something that spoke to our sense of family and our connection to the environment."
"And knowing what kind of characters kids love to play on stage, I needed something with big, fun, larger-than-life animal roles. When I came across Dot and the Kangaroo, a story written way back in 1898, I saw its potential for a fresh, modern musical adaptation—one that could transport audiences on an adventure while still feeling relevant today.
“In 2020, I started working on a stage adaptation of the book. I couldn't believe that no one had done it before. It took about three years of writing, rewriting, and testing it out with readings—especially during those long, weird lockdown days.
“I knew a wonderful composer, Daniel Mertzlufft, and his writing partner, lyricist Kate Leonard, from my time at the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, and they fell in love with the animal characters and bush setting. Then iTheatrics came on board, and we started testing Dot through pilot productions in places like Houston, Chicago, Adelaide, Brisbane, and New York. It was wild to see it come to life in different ways. And when I finally saw audiences reacting—laughing at my jokes, feeling the emotions—I thought, oh wow, it actually works!”
Dot & The Kangaroo JR. is very different to the original book.
“The book is very much a product of its time, and we had to do a lot to bring it into the 21st century. We expanded Dot’s backstory, added depth to her family, and reimagined how she came to be in Australia. Some characters were introduced, and others were cut. And, of course, we gave it the full Broadway musical treatment— energy, humour, heart, and spectacle.
“If SIX and Alice in Wonderland got married, moved to Australia, and had a child, Dot & The Kangaroo JR. would be that child. But through it all, we kept the book’s core themes of family, friendship, and conservation intact. That warmth, that sense of wonder—it’s still there, just with a fresh new heartbeat.”
In more exciting news, the original cast recording of the soundtrack is about to be released globally.
“The Dot & The Kangaroo JR. cast album is about to be released online, meaning anyone, anywhere, can listen to it. And what makes it extra special is that many of the young performers on the recording are students I’ve worked with over the years on Junior Theatre productions.
“It was incredible to give them the experience of being part of an original cast recording—not just as a learning opportunity, but as a legacy. They are now the first-ever Aussie Broadway JR. cast recording. That’s a pretty remarkable thing to be a part of.”
One of those young performers on the original cast recording is now the Assistant Director of this Hunter Drama production, a Hunter Drama tutor and long-term drama student recently named in the top 13 finalists of the AACTAs, Nyah Le.
“We learnt the entire show in about three days from 9am to 5pm, and recorded for two days,” remembers Le.
“It was a blast! Hearing it now brings back a lot of memories - it makes me feel lucky to pass on its original magic as an assistant director/assistant musical director!
“I think Dot & The Kangaroo JR. is one of the most compelling junior shows out there in terms of its score and story. The soundtrack is super catchy - lots of the songs are inspired by Broadway tracks you know and love, so you'll probably walk away singing it. There's a feeling of warmth and community underpinning the entire show - you'll feel the comfort you felt
growing up in Australia.”
Leading Director of this Newcastle premiere production is accomplished theatre director Allison van Gaal, who was immediately drawn to the project and thrilled to be directing her friend, Daniel’s work.
“I love the process of discovering lesserknown characters and building them with these exceptionally talented young actors,” she says.
“I remember watching the Dot and the Kangaroo cartoon as a child and falling in love with its magic,” she says. “The themes of family, connection, and respect for our natural world are more important now than ever. As a society, we need to honour our land, our animals, and the First Nations people who have protected it for generations.”
With two separate Hunter Drama casts bringing this story to life, audiences can expect a moving and visually stunning production filled with music, heart, and a touch of nostalgia. The show’s choreography is led by Bonnie McPeak, a Hunter Drama alum who has trained with the iTheatrics team in New York.
“When James Chapman, our producer, asked Daniel who he would recommend, he suggested me,” Bonnie shares. “I feel so honoured to be given this opportunity. The production is a joyous celebration of movement.
The music is incredible, and choreographing the dances has been a joy. There’s a range of styles—from line dancing to a fabulous pop party! I’ve also tried to integrate some influences from Aboriginal dance to pay respects to the First People of our nation.”'
Costume designer Lainey Donnelly has meticulously crafted the show’s aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of Australia.
“Reading the script while listening to the musical score transported me into the magical world of children’s imagination,” Donnelly says.
“Breaking down the characters and costumes, revealing the internal relationships between humans and nature in the late 1800s in Australia and finding the unique features and cultural significance of Australian animals, from the Platypus to Kangaroo, to Sugar Glider and the Echidna allowed me to design and create costumes that reveal the essence and personality of each character and bring the story to life in an authentic, creative way.”
This family-friendly musical is not only an adventure but a heartwarming journey that speaks to Australia’s rich cultural heritage. With an unforgettable score, stunning costumes, and vibrant choreography, it promises to delight audiences young and old.
Don’t miss this timeless Australian children’s classic on stage at The Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle, from 16–26 April.
Secure your tickets now and experience the wonder of Dot & The Kangaroo JR! Our very own international Aussie musical born right here in Newy!
