A delightful, language-lean new theatre work for children is set to take the stage this July in Kāpiti.
Following the overwhelming success of Wonderkind across 2022-2023, Wonderlight Theatre Aotearoa is presenting their second work, The Home Inside, a language-lean work to empower children’s emotional resilience which is hitting the the Kāpiti stage this July.
Aimed at tamariki aged 4-8, The Home Inside follows Winnie on a journey of self-discovery and emotional resilience.
Winnie is a homebody. She finds joy and escape in drawing, and playing with her soft-toy, Afi the monkey; often staying up into the early hours of the morning, absorbed in her creativity. One morning, struggling with tiredness, frustration at her parents, and anxiety about going to school, Winnie’s emotions erupt into a tantrum, transforming her bedroom into a fantastical natural world.
Guided by elemental creatures—a wise Earth Spirit, playful Pīwakawaka, and a mysterious Tuna—Winnie navigates challenges that mirror her inner struggles. Each encounter teaches her new ways to manage her emotions, from breathing techniques to embracing change. As she overcomes obstacles, Winnie gains confidence and resilience, learning to self-regulate and find comfort within herself.
Underscored by original music, with visually striking design and puppetry, The Home Inside is a heartwarming tale of emotional growth, self-discovery, and the power of nature to heal.
Emma Rattenbury, multi-time award nominee of Playmarket’s ‘Plays for the Young’ and ‘Playwrights B4 25’ awards is delighted to be staging this new work.
“The idea for The Home Inside sparked one afternoon while I was taking a break from marking papers, imagining a sister show to Wonderkind that would expand on our language-lean format at Wonderlight Theatre Aotearoa,” says co-creator and performer Emma Rattenbury.
“I was drawn to themes of self-discovery, inner peace, and respect for the environment, especially after Covid-19, when I felt disconnected from nature and myself. I wanted to explore those emotions through storytelling, and from a simple sketch of a girl in nature with the title The Home Inside in the back of my exercise book, the show was born.”
Treat your tāmariki these school holidays to a wondrous, fantastical and validating trip to the theatre with The Home Inside, running at Te Raukura Kī Kāpiti on July 10 at 1pm as part of an extensive Greater Wellington Regional tour.
Tickets $15 available at https://teraukura.nz/event/the-home-inside or in person at the Coastlands Mall Customer Service Desk.
Te Raukura Kī Kāpiti is located at 34a Raumati Road, Raumati Beach, Paraparaumu.
“Epic creative explorations – so much experienced in so little time!”
– Theatreview (on 2023’s Wonderkind)
“Wordless, exquisite, special”
– Theatreview (on 2022’s Wonderkind)
