An instant Australian classic, Beetle tells the story of a child who finds a new friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for the now elusive Christmas Beetle. This original theatre production coming to the Orange Civic Theatre on Thursday, October 31, has been brought to life by Sydney-based theatre company Legs On The Wall, with a little help from Orange’s own much-loved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood.

“It was a big event in my family when the first Christmas beetle of the season would come,” recalled Legs On The Wall artistic director Josh Thomas, explaining how he came up with the concept behind Beetle.

“I remember them being quite prolific when they came... it wasn’t just one. Usually, one night, they’d start to come in, and they would be hitting the glass or the fluorescent bulb of the outdoor light... and then I started to realise that, actually, the Christmas beetle is a rare event in the city. So I wanted to capture this idea of ‘the last Christmas beetle’.”

Josh had been looking for a new project to embark on, particularly one that could bring the magic of theatre to a young audience. Unable to find a suitable written work to adapt to the stage, he and co-director Kate Walder set about creating their own original work with the idea of making it a picture book” theatre show.

“So we started looking for, particularly, New South Wales or Australian illustrators and authors that were in this space of environment, but a particular look,” Josh said.

“I remember coming across a couple of Freya’s books and there’s something about the way she draws and sketches that makes it... it’s another place. It’s a space where she can create worlds that are not of this world, but very similar, and there’s something dreamy about it,”

First, reaching out to Freya through Instagram, Josh said it took a little bit of convincing that they were a real company and this was a real job.

“It was a bit of an odd conversation,” admits Freya. “I didn’t know anything about Legs On The Wall... normally, I just do picture books, and that’s it – but I’m really glad I said yes to this.”

Working in collaboration with the Legs On The Wall teams and animator Susie Henderson, Freya’s art has been brought to life as the projected backdrop for the world of Beetle.

“It was lovely to see it projected large. It’s really kind of magical, I think, to see your drawings scaled up large. And to give life to those drawings. It was really exciting to see!” Freya said.

Beetle premiered last year at the Northern Australian Festival of the Arts in Townsville and has been presented in Sydney, Wyong and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it received rave reviews. Beetle will embark on a national tour in 2025, but the performance in Orange on October 31 is the only regional show this year.

Josh said it’s fitting that they bring the show to Freya’s home town.

“The work has a lot to owe to her. She sort of built these magical places, in consultation with us, but she’s really made them come alive with her illustration,” Josh said, adding that he’d like to see Beetle perhaps become a picture book one day.

“I’d love a picture book made because I think there’s something accessible about books that live theatre... they’re very different mediums,” he continued.

“I would say I’m hopeful for it because it’s a lovely little story and the message at the end is one of hope. That actually small children can have a wonderful impact on the environment, and they can learn about the world around them even if they are just in their own backyard.”

See Beetle at the Orange Civic Theatre, 6 pm Thursday, October 31. Tickets at Ticketek or call 63938111.