The production will open at the Rose Theatre in Kingston ahead of a UK tour.
It has been announced that the world stage premiere of The Koala Who Could will take place at the Rose Theatre in Kingston on the 13th February 2025, ahead of a UK tour which will visit: Newcastle, Lancaster, Worthing, Salford, Bristol, Finchley, Southampton, London, Corby, Winchester, Belfast, York, Dun Laoghaire, Radlett, Norwich, Coventry, Chelmsford, Chester, Bexhill, Weston Super-Mare, Lincoln and Horsham, with further dates to be announced.
Adapted from the book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, the story is about Kevin the koala King of the staying-still-kings, and his friends the wombats and Kangaroo as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new”.
This brand-new adaptation for stage is adapted and directed by Emma Earle (Oi Frog & Friends) with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (The Lion Inside).
Following the critical and commercial success of The Lion Inside play, which delighted audiences throughout the UK and internationally earlier this year, this second collaboration will delight families everywhere in the New Year.
Author Rachel Bright said, “Even for a writer, it’s hard to put into words just how incredible I felt when I saw The Lion Inside spring off the page and onto the stage. The adaptation was just incredible – it gave me goosebumps to see the way they had brought our story to life in a whole new way. It’s funny, profound and mind-blowingly creative…with so much soul in the performance, you can’t help but be mesmerised from the first moments. I’m so excited to see Kevin take the brave leap out of his tree and onto the boards too!”
The full tour dates are as follows:
13 – 23 February | KINGSTON Rose Theatre
BOOK NOW
www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/305/from-the-creators-of-the-lion-inside/the-koala-who-could
25 February – 2 March | NEWCASTLE Northern Stage
BOOK NOW
www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/the-koala-who-could/
8 – 9 March | LANCASTER The Dukes
COMING SOON
15 – 16 March | WORTHING Pavilion Theatre
BOOK NOW
www.wtm.uk/events/the-koala-who-could
8 – 13 April | SALFORD Lowry
BOOK NOW
www.thelowry.com/whats-on/265//the-koala-who-could
14 – 19 April | BRISTOL Old Vic
BOOK NOW
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/the-koala-who-could
3 – 5 May | FINCHLEY arts depot
BOOK NOW
www.artsdepot.co.uk/event/the-koala-who-could/
15 – 18 May | SOUTHAMPTON MAST Mayflower Studios
COMING SOON
21 May – 1 June | LONDON Unicorn Theatre
BOOK NOW
www.unicorntheatre.com/events/koala
6 – 8 June | CORBY Cube
COMING SOON
13 – 15 June | WINCHESTER Theatre Royal
COMING SOON
22 June BELFAST Ulster Hall
BOOK NOW
www.ulsterhall.co.uk/what-s-on/the-koala-who-could
3 – 5 July | YORK Theatre Royal
BOOK NOW
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/the-koala-who-could/
11 – 13 July | DUN LAOGHAIRE Pavilion Theatre
COMING SOON
15 – 16 July | RADLETT The Radlett Centre
BOOK NOW
www.radlettcentre.co.uk/What-s-On/Children/Koala-Who-Could
17 – 19 July | NORWICH Playhouse
BOOK NOW
www.norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/the-koala-who-could/
24 – 26 July | COVENTRY BELGRADE
COMING SOON
28 – 30 July | CHELMSFORD Civic Theatre
BOOK NOW
www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/event/the-koala-who-could
1 – 3 August | CHESTER Storyhouse
BOOK NOW
www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/the-koala-who-could/
5 – 6 August | BEXHILL De Lar Warr Pavilion
COMING SOON
19 – 20 August | WESTON SUPER-MARE Playhouse
COMING SOON
25 – 26 August | LINCOLN New Theatre Royal
COMING SOON
1 – 2 September | HORSHAM Capitol Theatre