Overview
Far beyond the outskirts of the big city, near a tiny town that nearly everyone forgot, lay a dry creek bed of no special significance. Once upon a time it had been called Washpool Gully. But the world had moved on from insignificant things, and no one had time for dry creek beds. Except in Washpool Gully something was stirring. Shaken by the rumble of engines and darkening of the sky, something long asleep had decided to wake up.
Combining old-fashioned storytelling with contemporary puppetry and miniature sets, The Riddle of Washpool Gully is a reimagined tale of Australian mythology about the incredible creatures that might still live in the uncharted corners of our vast country – brought to life by internationally acclaimed Dead Puppet Society (Peter and the Starcatcher, Ishmael, Holding Achilles, The Wider Earth).
Extend the Experience – For School Groups
The below activities for students are part of the Interdisciplinary Learning Program and are designed to extend the experience beyond the performance. In the Expressions of Interest form, select the performance first and then select any extended experiences you wish to add. Workshops are booking out quickly, with limited availability left. If you would like to host a workshop at your school, please contact education@qpac.com.au to discuss how we can support you and your students.
ACTIVITY 1: Lost and Found
Drama Workshop
Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 11:30am
Duration: 70 mins
Through drama, Adrianne Jones – QPAC’s Education Manager and guest Teaching Artist will lead students into the world of the play; playing, making, and creating as they explore its key themes. They’ll shape questions, discover their own answers, and finish with a creative writing task.
Curriculum Links: English V9 AC9E4LE03 AC9E4LE04 , AC9E4LY03 EAC9E8LE05, AC9E8LY03 , The Arts AC9ADR4E01
ACTIVITY 2: Visual Theatre workshop
In-venue allocation exhausted. Please contact education@qpac.com.au to host a workshop at your school.
Workshop by Dead Puppet Society
Thursday, 12 March 2026, 11:30am
Duration: 70 mins
This workshop by Dead Puppet Society offers a unique opportunity to explore the creative techniques behind The Riddle of Washpool Gully using Dead Puppet Society’s innovative visual theatre training methods.
Visual theatre allows for awe inspiring world-building opportunities, and the constant surprising transformation of prop and puppet design elements, as well as location and characters. Students will build skills in visual theatre conventions, and an understanding of the process through which these works are staged, and work together to create their own scene from The Riddle of Washpool Gully.
This workshop is suitable for secondary students from year 7 to year 12, and for Primary students from year 4 to year 6.
Curriculum Links: Visual Theatre, Contemporary Performance, Puppetry and Children’s Theatre, Devising and Ensemble Performance
ACTIVITY 3: First Nations Storytelling: Caring for Country
Workshop
Tuesday, 17 March 2026, 11:30am
Duration: 70 mins
Join Trevor Fourmile – Gimuy Walubara Yidinji man (Childrens Author/Playwright/Educator) and Nadine McDonald-Dowd – Yuwi woman (Director/Dramaturg/Performer) to explore how storytelling acts as a living practice that ensures important First Nations and Torres Strait Islander stories endure and maintain cultural continuity.
Curriculum Links: Cross Curriculum Priorities - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, English V9, AC9E6LE01, The Arts Curriculum V9.0 - Drama, Music and Dance
ACTIVITY 4: “What Artist Am I?”
Pathway Panel
Thursday, 19 March 2026, 11am
Duration: 60 mins
This interactive panel moderated by Rebecca Levingston (ABC Radio) invites students to meet a range of artists including David Morton (Writer/Director/Creative Director – Dead Puppet Society), Ngoc Phan (Writer/Director/Performer), Dave Burton (Writer/Director) and Wiradjuri Gamilaraay woman Aunty Sharron mirii Bell (Early Childhood & Cultural Educator/Performer) and gain insight into their creative careers, pathways, and practices. Students will be provided with a learning resource prior to support research and devising questions.
Curriculum Links: English V9 AC9E6LY02 , The Arts Curriculum V9.0 - Drama, Music and Dance
Creatives
- Director and Designer David Morton
- Composer Heath Brown
- Lighting Designer Ben Hughes
- Dramaturg Sam Routledge
- Sound Designer Brady Watkins
Learning and Engagement Program
QPAC is proud to be launching a brand‑new Learning and Engagement program in 2026. Here is a sneak peek of what’s on offer in Semester One.
World Science Festival Brisbane
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The Riddle of Washpool Gully
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Crossing the Divide
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