THE SMALLEST STAGE
The Smallest Stage - APAX Pitch 2022
This heart-warming true story explores the love and connection between a parent and child with delightful, innovative storytelling.
The Smallest Stage is an autobiographical story about love between parent and child by Manjimup writer Kim Crotty, recounting the period of his life in which he was ‘sent down’ for growing cannabis in the UK.
Whilst serving a two year sentence in Dartmoor prison, Kim discovered that ordinary means of communication with his two sons, then 3 and 5 years old, were heartbreakingly ineffective and became desperate to maintain his relationship with them. Powerless in his real world, he created fictional worlds in order to overcome the divide that separated them. He wrote and illustrated 47 children’s stories for his sons, before being deported back to Australia and reunited with them.
The Smallest Stage explores how some children learn the hard way that parents don’t always get things right, and that even in the most unlikely of places, with love, creativity and a handful of felt-tips, the mistakes that divide us today can bring us closer together tomorrow.
Issues of identity, masculinity, family histories, and what it means to raise boys are examined against the backdrop of commercial cannabis production and incarceration; interspersed with the funny and colourful stories of alternate superheroes that Kim wrote for his sons.
A story for parents and children to share, The Smallest Stage deals with uncomfortable truths and the mistakes parents can sometimes make, and opens the door on having the difficult conversations with our children that can lead to stronger relationships.
“There is so much more in this production than you might expect.” – Kim Crotty
CREDITS
The Company
WRITER / LEAD ARTIST / CO-CREATOR Kim Crotty
DIRECTOR / DRAMATURG / CO-CREATOR Matt Edgerton
DESIGNER / CO-CREATOR Zoë Atkinson
PERFORMER / CO-CREATOR Ben Mortley
SOUND DESIGNER / COMPOSER David Richardson
LIGHTING DESIGNER Paul Parkes
PRODUCER Fiona de Garis
PRODUCTION MANAGER Alan Burke
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Siobhan Maiden
STAGE MANAGER Courteney Cooper
ANIMATION WORKSHOP FACILITATOR Steven Aiton
SUPERFISH SOCK ARTIST Yvonne Batterham
PRODUCED BY Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
CO-COMMISSIONED BY Perth Festival
Animation Credits
OWL AND MOUSE Zoë Atkinson incorporating original artwork by Otto Crotty
ART GALLERY Steven Aiton using original artwork by Kim Crotty
KISSING GHOST Zoë Atkinson with mentorship by Steven Aiton
SUPERFISH Otto Crotty, Arlen Crotty and Matty Zmitko, facilitated by Steven Aiton
CHARCOAL INTERROGATION Zoë Atkinson
INFORMATION FOR PRESENTERS
The Smallest Stage is available for presentation in Australia.
Please get in touch for more information and to start a conversation.
Fiona de Garis
Producer
08 9792 3111
hello@bunburyentertainment.com
The Smallest Stage - Showreel
“What a wonderful true story, an incredible experience for both of us on stage, beautiful crew and just so wonderful to see my son blossom being part of something pretty special.”
“Brava to the whole team! I cried. A lot! So very beautiful and compelling and clever.”
“…more than I ever could have imagined. So much creative talent and, well, LOVE.”
“Amazing performance tonight. Congratulations to all involved… Highly recommend this show to everyone.”
PRESENTATION HISTORY
Premier Season
11 to 20 February 2022
The Cube | Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
23 to 27 February 2022
PERTH FESTIVAL | Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA