Our Story

We invite you to ‘Journey in Wonder’ with us.
It may be dark and you may feel uneasy. That’s only natural. You are not alone.
See that light in the distance? Take our hands. We know the way.

Founded in 2007 and based in Adelaide, South Australia, Slingsby presents emotionally challenging and engaging storytelling in rich live theatrical realms for family audiences and young people aged eight years and over.

We are passionate about creating memorable experiences for audiences of all ages. We collaborate with Australia’s finest artists across many disciplines and foster international theatrical alliances. Slingsby’s productions have been presented in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Singapore, Norway, China and India, earning the company a reputation for excellence in the creation of work for young audiences.

 

The company’s world worn, timeless aesthetic is embedded into each show, transporting audiences to a time and place that is at the same time familiar and new. The company’s first work The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy (written by prolific Australian playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer) was an international success and has been performed over 300 times worldwide. Current works in repertoire The Young King and Emil and the Detectives have built on Slingsby’s international reputation as a company of excellence.

Slingsby has garnered many coveted awards for its work including three Ruby Awards, a prestigious Victor Award (People’s Choice) – International Performing Arts for Youth Showcase 2017 for The Young King and a Helpmann Award (Best Presentation for Children) for Emil and the Detectives in 2018.

Slingsby produces and tours original theatre productions that captivate, challenge and inspire hope through memorable theatre experiences that evoke a sense of renewed wonder in the world we live in, and the role we each can play in building a happy and harmonious global society.

Slingsby encourages togetherness through a sophisticated aesthetic and complex emotional storytelling. The company focuses on sharing timeless, otherworldly stories of loss, hope and wonder, helping audience members find resilience in their own situations and empathy for those around them.

Our People

Andy Packer

CEO & Artistic Director

Andy is an award-winning director of theatre, music theatre and opera. He has also worked as creative producer of multidisciplinary arts programs, creative director of large-scale events and festival director. In

Andy is an award-winning director of theatre, music theatre and opera. He has also worked as creative producer of multidisciplinary arts programs, creative director of large-scale events and festival director. In 2007 Andy co-founded Adelaide based theatre company Slingsby. The company is now well-established as a leading international immersive theatre company, having toured to more than 170 venues, with over 1,000 performances across 13 countries and counting.

Andy is renowned for creating original live performance moments that are emotionally powerful and visually bold. His work across theatre for young audiences, opera, cabaret, music theatre and symphonic concerts has pushed him to develop a distinctive theatrical aesthetic that is at once personal and epic.

Andy has directed productions and events for Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, State Opera of South Australia, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Adelaide Festival of Arts, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Chamber Singers, Australian String Quartet, Windmill Theatre, Restless Dance, Tutti Ensemble, Rundle Mall Management Authority and the International Astronautical Federation. In 2019 Andy was Show Director for the World of Wearable Art Awards Show in Wellington, New Zealand.

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Rebecca Pearce

Executive Director

A highly respected creative and cultural leader, Rebecca brings with her more than 15 years’ experience in leadership roles with major Arts organisations across Australia and internationally. Most recently, Rebecca held the

A highly respected creative and cultural leader, Rebecca brings with her more than 15 years’ experience in leadership roles with major Arts organisations across Australia and
internationally. Most recently, Rebecca held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Adelaide UNESCO City of Music office. acknowledging the breadth, depth and vibrancy of the city’s music culture. its international reach, history and aspirations. Prior to this, Rebecca held senior positions including Associate Director of Programming at Adelaide Festival Centre, Program Director of Brisbane Festival, Program Manager of Singapore International Festival and Programming Executive of Adelaide Festival.

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Georgia Stanley

General Manager

Georgia is an emerging South Australian arts manager and producer. Georgia first joined Slingsby in March 2019 in the role of Associate Artist, providing touring support and company management for the

Georgia is an emerging South Australian arts manager and producer. Georgia first joined Slingsby in March 2019 in the role of Associate Artist, providing touring support and company management for the artists and crew on The Young King national tour. In 2020 she took up the full time role of Associate Producer with the company. A graduate of the AC Arts acting course, Georgia has also held roles at Adelaide Festival and Art Gallery of South Australia.

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Quincy Grant

Composer

Quincy has spent his life being a freelance composer and musician. He has played and written for many bands over the decades, in many different styles - the most recent being

Quincy has spent his life being a freelance composer and musician. He has played and written for many bands over the decades, in many different styles – the most recent being the despicable gypsy band Golonka and the folk outfit Miranda Bede. 

He has written over seventy works for soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras that have been performed in hundreds of concerts. And written the music for over forty theatre works, for companies all over Australia, with his second opera being scheduled for performance in 2025. 

He has toured many countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. 

He is co-director of The Firm, a company that presents concerts each year featuring Australian classical musicians in programmes of new Australian music along-side carefully chosen repertoire. 

Quincy lives in Adelaide with his dear Anna, and has three children: Arland, Clara and Miranda.

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Wendy Todd

Designer

Wendy is an Adelaide-based designer of theatre, events and spaces. Recent production designs (Set & Costume Design for all productions) include: Nursery 2014, (Sally Chance Dance), Babyteeth 2013, Blasted 2012, Pornography

Wendy is an Adelaide-based designer of theatre, events and spaces. Recent production designs (Set & Costume Design for all productions) include: Nursery 2014, (Sally Chance Dance), Babyteeth 2013, Blasted 2012, Pornography 2012 (State Theatre Company of South Australia), Land & Sea 2012, Skip Miller’s Hit Songs 2011, Harbinger 2010 (Brink Productions), Man Covets Bird 2010, The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy 2007 (Slingsby), Worldhood 2011 (Australian Dance Theatre), A Lion In The Night 2012, The Little Green Tractor 2011 (Patch Theatre Company), Cutaway III, 2013 & II, 2012 (Vitalstatistix), Ruby Bruise 2010 (The Misery Children & Vitalstatistix). Recent event designs: Designer Blink Bar 2015 Adelaide Festival of Arts Precinct, Design Assistant/Coordinator Lola’s Pergola 2014, Design Coordinator of Barrio 2013 & 2012, Assistant Designer Persian Garden 2008 & 2006 (Late Night Clubs of the Adelaide Festival of Arts), Event and Gala Designer Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2015, Design Coordinator Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2014 (Adelaide Festival Centre), Bowerbird Design Markets 2014, 2013, 2012.

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Our Mission

To lovingly craft original, beautiful, complex, life-affirming, heartfelt, richly rewarding, emotive and bold theatre for adults and young people and to be internationally recognised for:

  • ‘coming of age’ and ‘getting of wisdom’ stories;
  • exceptional storytelling built on inspirational scripts and narratives;
  • theatre inspired by the beauty around us, celebrating life, death, hope and the capacity to live rich and meaningful lives;
  • a beautiful, complex, world-worn aesthetic;
  • immersive, theatrical worlds;
  • an intimate connection between audience and performers.

 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR WORK

“It is theatre like the work Slingsby produces which makes us all imagine a better and happier world. If more theatre were like this, the world would be a magical place indeed.”

Australian Stage Online

“It is possible to believe that we are characters in a great fairytale. A touching, meaningful and involved production.”

Daniel McLean, On Dit

My expectations were not only met, but exceeded by this beautiful show. I was left feeling that not only had I experienced something truly special, but that the world is a better place for having a company like Slingsby in it."

Sky Harrison, Aspire Magazine

"If more theatre were like this, the world would be a magical place indeed"

Australian Stage Online

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