Daddy's First Children's Festival Experience - The Flying Orchestra

Archie playing with his Flying Orchestra program this morning.

Archie and I were both very, VERY tired today after our big day at Out of the Box yesterday.  We had an appointment this morning, but then spent all afternoon sleeping!  He's so cuddly and warm, and I love listening to his little relaxing sighs while he sleeps.

Last night while I wrote about This [Baby] Life, my husband Loc wrote about our experience at the festival's opening night celebrations.  We got to see the premiere of The Flying Orchestra at the Lyric Theatre, but I'll let him tell you all about it...

Archie and Cassie all dressed up and ready to go.

I read the book written and illustrated by Clare McFadden just a few days before seeing the show and was already in love with the ideas and messages. I love music with a passion and without giving away too much, the story, through its perfect selection of words and uniquely beautiful illustrations, follow a small orchestra as they play their instruments through the highs and lows of the book's characters.

I was apprehensive about taking Archie to a show in the dark with quiet moments and an audience, as I feared Archie may have felt the need to exercise his lungs and his rights to demand we stop this charade of our former life at the theatre and take him back home to sleep in comfort.

Waiting for the lights to go down and the show to begin!

As the lights went down I was more focused on Archie and instead of a restless child threatening to whinge his way home I instead saw Archie's big eyes pinned to the majestic visuals on the stage and captivated by the awesome sounds of the orchestra. He didn't flinch for the first five to ten minutes as I am sure I saw my son frozen for the first time, engaged with the arts on a theatre stage and enjoying it. It was a very proud parent moment for Cassie and I. 

The costumes, puppets, music and the flow of the story on stage just radiated story book charm and allowed adults and children alike to get lost Clare McFadden's wondrous world. At home I struggle to hold Archie's attention for more than two to three minutes at my most entertaining. (By entertaining I mean blowing on his belly and pretending I am a crazy old dog sniffing his hands. I know, disturbing and beautiful at the same time, but each to their own right?). So it was incredible to watch our four month old Archie being entertained by something far more creative and inspiring than a crazy old dog.

Here's a bit of the show that author Clare McFadden shared on her Facebook page!

The night didn't go perfectly though however and it had nothing to do with Archie. I have never forgotten to turn off my phone in a theatre or in a movie but tonight I did, and can you believe it, I got a call during the show. Very embarrassed and ashamed. Archie did contribute though to our inappropriate theatre family noises by screaming out after he scratched himself with his Catwoman like claws midway through the show. Cassie took him out for a few minutes but brought him back in settled allowing us to enjoy the show all the way to curtain call. 

Ouch!  Poor Archie after ending up on the wrong end of his nails!

Cassie: "I can't believe I'm at the theatre with such crazy, noisy boys!
Archie: "Can we go home now?"

I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity we were given by the organisers of the OOTB festival tonight. That we just decided to take our clingy little boy, and take the risk that he may have cried all night and we may have had to leave the show early for it, paid off big time. Our little man enjoyed the show, Daddy embarrassed himself and Mummy and as for our family, it was our first and definitely not our last night out together at the theatre.

One of our first family photos!  After our first night at the theatre together.