From the moment I was handed an interactive pendant at the door of the Alexander Theatre, it was clear Night Night was no ordinary night at the theatre. What followed was one of the most inventive, heartfelt and boundary-defying performances I’ve ever experienced.
Created and directed by the trio Arielle Gray, Luke Kerridge and Tim Watts, Night Night tells the story of Pip, an Antarctic scientist on a quest to uncover the origins of life. What begins as a familiar voyage into isolation and scientific frustration soon tumbles into a surreal dreamscape with an albino penguin guiding our hero and glowing entities emerging from unseen dimensions. It’s a world built from ice and wonder, where the veil between this world and the beyond feels paper-thin.
The compelling narrative unfolds not just on stage, but across a variety of mediums. The set is deceptively simple, consisting of a large projector screen and a small movie studio, fully visible, at the side of the stage. Combined, they become a playground of live cinematography, puppetry, mime, and animation. Gray and Watts deliver a masterclass in physical theatre, coaxing moments of poignancy, whimsy and laugh-out-loud humour from every pixel and prop at their disposal. Their onstage rapport and seamless interaction is the glowing heart of the show. Their performances feel at once effortless and deeply considered.
The sensory layering was delightful from the moment we entered the theatre. Live sketches on an iPad become playful preludes to the show, blending content warnings with charm (beware the show’s loud sounds, flashing lights and wimsy). Messages and images appear on the screen, inviting the audience into the world with a light touch before plunging them into deeper waters.
Rachel Claudio’s musical score and sound design deserve particular praise. They don’t just accompany the action, they elevate it, transporting the audience with a soundscape that moves from delicate to dazzling, always in perfect dialogue with the visual storytelling. The audio-visual synthesis is so immersive it’s easy to forget how complex and technical the show must be.
Night Night’s innovation lies in how it wears its complexity lightly. Static and animated visuals are woven with handmade puppets, showing digital magic dancing alongside analogue charm. Every moment feels handcrafted, intentional and lovingly made. The creative team’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in every snowflake, shadow and blink of light.
This is theatre as revelation. An invitation to see the world differently and to feel more deeply, remembering the power of connection to each other, to nature and to something greater. As Pip’s journey becomes more metaphysical, so too does the audience’s, emerging not only entertained, but perhaps even enlightened.
In short, Night Night is a rare piece of theatre that feels both personal and universal, intimate and epic. It’s a reminder of what live performance can achieve when craft, heart and imagination collide. This is the kind of show that lingers long after the lights go out. Do not miss it.
Night Night will be on tour soon and is coming to Geelong Arts Centre in August and Bondi Pavilion in September. To book tickets to Night Night, please visit https://www.thelastgreathunt.com/night-night.
