Robot Song

An Award-Winning Theatre Work About Identity and Belonging

By Jolyon James

robot song hero image

About The Show

When eleven-year-old Juniper May receives a petition signed by her entire class stating that she is ‘the most hated person in the school’ her life is thrown into complete turmoil. Juniper stops eating, she refuses to return to school and her parents become increasingly desperate. Finally, after exhausting all other avenues her parents resort to the only thing they have left, a giant singing robot.

Robot Song is a genuine family show. It is joyful and full of hope. It is for any child who has ever felt isolated, and any parent who is desperate for tools to help an isolated child. The show employs cutting edge digital technology, animatronics and a beautiful original musical score. 

Based on a true story, Robot Song illustrates the profound, transformative nature of creativity that, when combined with unconditional love, becomes an unstoppable force. For Juniper, creativity opens doors into places she never knew existed, allowing her to be defined on her own terms for the first time.

Robot Song is a deeply personal story. It shares an honest, intensely funny and often unconventional window into writer/director Jolyon James’ experience parenting a child on the Autism Spectrum. The show poses and attempts to answer the question, how do we support, foster and celebrate difference in our children in the face of an increasingly rigid and homogenised world?

Expressions of Interest

Stage Show, musical, comedy

Recommended for ages 8 to 108

Booking and touring through Nicholas Clark Management

Helpmann Award 2019
Best Presentation for Children and Young People.

2019 Drama Victoria Award
Best performance for VCE Drama.

VCE Theatre Studies Playlist (2020)

VCE Theatre Studies Playlist (2021)

Writer / Director / Designer
JOLYON JAMES
Assistant Director
SARAH BRANTON
Lighting Designer
PAUL LIM (Addi+ive)
Costume Design
BETH SAYER
Composer
NATE GILKES
Musical Director
ANIA REYNOLDS
Dramaturg
CHRISTIAN LEAVESLEY

2018-2019, 2024
ASHLEA PYKE & PHIL MCINNES
2019-2022
SOPHIE SMYTH & CHRIS BROWN

quote symbol

★★★★★

“Engaging and with an important message about inclusion, Robot Song is a remarkable work, carrying a strong but not preachy anti-bullying rallying cry.”

– Melbourne Comedy Festival

quote symbol

“Robot Song is an impressive gem of a show, particularly suitable for children, but also enjoyable for adults as it celebrates difference in a touching and sometimes spectacular way.”

– Imogen Fox, The Dialog

quote symbol

“Please see this show, no matter your age! The world needs theatre to be different, like this.”

– Steve Davis, The Adelaide Show

quote symbol

“Robot Song is a thoroughly enjoyable, moving, and funny story about something we can all relate to – feeling isolated or different.”

– Lucinda Naughton, Theatre Travels

quote symbol

“The love and laughter in the room on opening night were infectious.”

– Alex First, The Blurb

quote symbol

“Difference is celebrated in this imaginative play about a young girl’s experiences with autism.”

– Tim Byrne, Time Out Melbourne

robot song logos

Check out more original Arena productions below.

country thumb

Country & Belonging

Created by Annie Brigdale

A creative learning program that invites students to explore ideas of place, identity and connection through storytelling and artistic practice.

prod horzlines

Sign up to our mailing list

Name