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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, towards creating a better Queensland.

  • …
  • What’s On
  • 2026
  • The Riddle of Washpool Gully
The Riddle of Washpool Gully
  • Theatre
  • Family / Kids

lepdpstheriddleofwashpoolgully26 The Riddle of Washpool Gully Dead Puppet Society, QPAC Theatre, Family / Kids QPAC Learning and Engagement Program The Riddle of Washpool Gully by David Morton – Dead Puppet Society

10 - 21 Mar 2026
Cremorne Theatre
Buy Tickets
$49 *
* A transaction fee of $7.50 applies.
55 minutes
no interval, subject to change without notice

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 

Express your interest
  • Vividly imagined and meticulously realised with beauty, wit and immense heart.
    The Mercury
  • A stunning piece of theatre which will appeal to young and old.
    Stage Whispers
  • A delicate, poetic, entrancing, yet bold and grounded narrative that sweeps you up from its first to its final words.
    ABM

Important Information

Warning

This production contains haze, smoke and flashing lights. 

Age Recommendation

Recommended for ages 6+.

Curriculum Links

Perfect for English V9.0, The Arts V9.0, Geography V9.0, Drama General Senior Syllabus.

Suitable for students in years 5 to 12.

Celebrate 40 Years of QPAC and Win!

Purchase a ticket at QPAC in 2025 and go in the draw to win a Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid, thanks to Hyundai – proud Principal Partner of QPAC.

To enter the competition, submit an entry form via the QPAC 40 Giveaway competition page. Terms and conditions apply.

Cremorne Theatre Visual and Sensory Guide

The Cremorne Theatre Visual and Sensory Guide [PDF, 2 MB] provides information on what you can expect while visiting QPAC.

Official ticketing service for QPAC

QTIX is our official ticketing service with selected packages sold through authorised resellers only. Read more about purchasing tickets online.

Schools

Great discounts available for school groups. 1 teacher free per 10 students.

Admission $35 each

Make a School Group booking

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

World Science Festival Brisbane

World Science Festival Brisbane explores the delicate threads connecting life and the universe, from galaxies to mycelium networks. 

The Riddle of Washpool Gully

The Riddle of Washpool Gully

10 - 21 Mar 2026
Cremorne Theatre

Combining storytelling with contemporary puppetry and miniature sets, The Riddle of Washpool Gully is a reimagined tale of Australian mythology.   

Crossing the DividePhoto by Cinnamon Smith

Crossing the Divide

17 - 20 Feb 2026
Cremorne Theatre

A powerful work by Shock Therapy Arts exploring the long-term impact of Australia’s colonial past and how it has shaped our national identity and the issues we face today. 

Digital Stage for Schools

Access a growing library of performances, educational resources, and behind-the-scenes content. Ideal for group and individual learning.

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