HOLDEN & ARTS ASSOCIATES
SHARING STORIES AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS SINCE 1983
EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES
Based on the novella by Erich Kästner
Adapted for the stage by Nicki Bloom
Produced by Slingsby
From Adelaide, Australia
image by Andy Ellis
photo by Andy Rasheed
photo by Andy Rasheed
image by Andy Ellis
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT ONLY
This digital engagement includes 2 weeks of unlimited access to a password-protected prerecorded video link hosted on Vimeo.
Young Emil catches a train to visit family, but something valuable is stolen and Emil ends up alone in the big city, lost and desperate. A group of quick-thinking and resourceful children rallies around, and the thief soon discovers Emil was not such an easy target. Can a bunch of kids work together to uncover and outsmart the criminal?
EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES is a journey about discovery and self-discovery, the value of friendships and taking risks, and the empowerment of young people. In Slingsby’s signature intimate theatrical style, the story is told by two skilled actors combining the thrilling intrigue of a classic caper with an evocative film noir design, complete with smoke and mirrors, miniature worlds and a cinematic score.
Winner of the 2018 Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children!
Best for Grades: 3rd + up
Performance length 65 minutes.
Sample Study Guides
Curriculum Connections
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Fine Arts: Theater, Music, Production Design, and Adapting a Play from a Novella
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Language Arts: Symbolism, Narrative, Reading, Comprehension, Writing, Vocabulary
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Emotional/Social Development: Compassion, Empathy, Ethical Behavior, Integrity, Coming of Age, Resiliency, Independence, Friendship, Leadership, and Teamwork
Additional Remote Outreach and Workshops
Please contact us if additional remote outreach or workshops is something you'd like to explore.
Possible options could include:
- Access to the Slingsby Creative Process prerecorded video series
– Live or Prerecorded Q&A with the Director and an artist
Digital Tech Specs
This performance is available as a prerecorded link hosted on password protected Vimeo site (managed by HAA). Each site will be made specific to the presenting venue with the following possible models.
A Standard Educational Engagement includes:
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2 weeks of Unlimited Educational Access for Schools (within 60 miles of Venue).
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A custom password protected link with full pre-recorded high quality video, hosted on Vimeo
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Ability to add your venue’s logo and custom welcome greeting
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Ability to add a presenter-recorded Curtain Speech video
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A sample study guide (pdf)
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Additional activities such as live online workshops, masterclasses, etc... available for separate fee with scheduling TBD mutually
For some shows, an Extended Educational Digital Engagement may also be available. This provides the same access and basic resources as a standard engagement but with 5 videos of 15-20ish minutes. The performance video is split into "chapters" PLUS additional resources created by the company. Perfect for viewing over multiple days or sessions and expanding the context or curriculum connections around the show.
A Public Family Engagement includes:
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1 weekend of Access for Public Audiences (within 60 miles of Venue)
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A custom password protected link with full pre-recorded high quality video, hosted on Vimeo
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Ability to add your venue’s logo to Vimeo Page
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Customized Greeting from Company on Vimeo Page
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Ability to add a presenter-recorded Curtain Speech video to Vimeo Page
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A sample study guide (pdf)
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Additional activities such as live online workshops, masterclasses, etc... available for separate fee with scheduling TBD mutually
Please talk to us if you are looking to serve both school and family audiences with this digital presentation and we can combine models for the appropriate access.
Artistic Team
Performers: Elizabeth Hay and Tim Overton
Director: Andy Packer
Playwright: Nicki Bloom
Composer: Quincy Grant
Designer: Wendy Todd
Lighting Designer: Geoff Cobham
Costume Designer: Ailsa Paterson
Animation: Luku Trembath
AV Systems Design: Chris Petridis
Producer: Stacey Baldwin
Critical Acclaim
“The company’s theatre productions always have a sense of wonder and magic, and Emil and the Detectives delights, intrigues and astonishes its audience… A through line of Slinsgby’s is the notion of children coming of age, and Emil is a young innocent in a world which, although beautiful, harbours danger and mysterious figure… Emil and the Detectives is an outstanding piece of children’s theatre which makes it an outstanding piece of theatre and an experience to be savoured by all.”
—InDaily – Greg Elliott, July 24, 2017
“For 10 years, Slingsby, under the meticulous direction of its founder Andy Packer, has been making captivating theatre for young audiences. Packer specialises in coming-of-age or getting-of-wisdom” stories and Emil and the Detectives is no exception… The performances are pitch perfect: Elizabeth Hay is understated and unfazed as Emil, and Tim Overton is a blaze of versatility as the Narrator, Grundeis and everybody else. Watching these detectives is a theatrical delight.”
—The Australian – Murray Bramwell, July 25, 2017
“...Emil and the Detectives adds to Slingsby’s already substantial record of presenting entertainment for families that actually deal with important issues.”
—The Advertiser – Peter Burdon, 24 July, 2017
"I just wanted to congratulate you on the wonderful show today... Initially, the students did ‘act up’ when the lights went out... as most kids do... I started to tense up as the noise of excited youth continued into the initial moments of the performance. When the lights started to pop up and fly around the room something magical happened; they stopped talking and were suddenly taken by this amazing vision. From that moment onwards, you had them…. I was amazed ...and slightly ashamed that I underestimated the students. Apart the wonderful experience of seeing your show, it showed me that children can still be children in this day and age. Storytelling still means something for young teens. It was a good lesson for me. Thank you."
—Adam, Teacher – via email
Company Background
Past Tours: The Young King, The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy
Co-founded in 2007 by Artistic Director Andy Packer, Slingsby is an Adelaide based company that produces and tours original theatre that captivates, challenges and inspires international audiences of adults and young people. In ten years Slingsby has produced and premiered seven original productions and won 14 industry awards. We have an outstanding international reputation as artistic leaders, with performances in 83 venues in 57 cities across ten countries and growing.
Slingsby is acclaimed for its sophisticated aesthetic and complex emotional storytelling. We focus on sharing timeless, other-worldly stories of loss, hope and wonder, helping audience members find empathy for those around them and resilience in their own situations. Audiences are emotionally challenged, yet ultimately reminded of the wonders of life and infinite possibility of the universe.
In the ten years since founding in September 2007, Slingsby has:
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Premiered 8 original productions including Songs for Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas, Emil and the Detectives, The Young King, an opera for families Ode To Nonsense, Man Covets Bird and The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy
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Performed in 83 venues in 57 cities on 5 continents, including a two-week sell-out of The Young King on 42nd Street in New York and seasons in Madrid, Singapore, Canada, Edinburgh, Ireland, England, Norway, New Zealand, the Sydney Opera House, all of Australia’s mainland capitals and 11 regional South Australian towns.
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Won 13 industry awards including two Ruby Awards and a Business SA Export Award.
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Won the 2018 Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children with Emil and the Detectives.
For more information, please visit the company’s website.
Gallery of Past Productions
Image by Andy Ellis
Photo by Andy Rasheed
Image by Andy Ellis