News and events
The very bad book: released August 31st!
The long awaited follow up to THE BAD BOOK is out now! Andy and his killer koala will be touring Australia throughout September. Come and get your book signed and your face ripped off!
“I absolutely loved this book. It’s crammed full of so much nonsense that I couldn’t help but giggle over the very bad jokes, very bad short stories, very bad poems and of course, very bad illustrations. The Dog Poo Family makes an appearance, as does The Very Bad Teacher, The Very Bad Dog, Killer Koalas from Outer-space and Blood Sucking Grannies covered in Gravy, to name a few. If the title of this book isn’t enough to grab a young reader’s attention, the format–with illustrations scrawled across every page–will surely do it. In particular, readers who don’t want to be bogged down with pages of text will enjoy the lively mix of cartoons, snappy jokes and poems, and slightly longer stories. Griffiths and Denton cleverly recognise that the temptation to read something ‘a bit naughty’ is quite a drawcard among young readers, particularly the reluctant kind. This is an explosive, very bad read!” *****
Australian Bookseller & Publisher Magazine.
Posted on 15 August 2010 Permanent link to this post Comments (22)
THE VERY BAD AUSTRALIAN TOUR: SEPT 2010
All events are free, but bookings are essential. NB: As events tend to fill up quickly it’s a great idea to book as early as possible.
MELBOURNE, VIC
Mon 30th-Wed 1st: Melbourne Writers Festival events. Check website for details: www.mwf.com.au
FRANKSTON, VIC
Tues 31st Aug 6pm: An evening with Andy Griffiths: The Rotary Room, Frankston Arts Centre Davey Street Frankston. Contact Robinsons Bookshop Ph 03 97836488
WESTGARTH/NORTHCOTE, VIC
Wed 1st Sept: 6pm The Very Bad Book launch at Westgarth Theatre, High Street, Westgarth.
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton bring you for one night only of free riotous entertainment based on their new book – The Very Bad Book. Come one, come all. Bar for parents opens at 5pm. Free, but bookings essential on (03) 9347 6633 or by email: events@readings.com.au
PENRITH, NSW
Thurs 2nd Sept: 6.30pm. An evening with Andy Griffiths: Penrith Library, 601 High Street, Penrith NSW Bookseller: Penrith Dymocks (02) 4731 5986 ( bookings essential)
BEROWA, NSW
Fri 3rd Sept: 6.00pm. A family evening with Andy Griffiths at Berowra Community Centre, The Gully Rd Berowa. Bookings essential. Book through any Hornsby Shire Library or phone 02 98476738
MIRANDA, NSW
Sat 4th Sept: 10.00am Signing Big W Miranda, Miranda Fair NSW 2228
PAGEWOOD, NSW
Sat 4th Sept: 2.30pm Signing: A&R Pagewood shop 180-181 Westfield S/C Eastgardens Pagewood
INDOOROOPILLY, QLD
Sun 5th Sept: 1pm Dymocks Indooroopilly, Level 3 Westfield shopping centre 318 Moggill Road Indooroopilly QLD
BULIMBA, QLD
Mon 6th Sept: 3.30pm Signing: Riverbend Books, 193 Oxford Street, Bulimba
CLEVELAND, QLD
Mon 6th Sept: 6.30pm An evening with Andy Griffiths: Redland Performing Arts Centre 2-16 Middle street Cleveland Bookings: Redland City Library 073829 8376
GOLD COAST, QLD
Tues 7th Sept: 6.30pm Robina Community Centre, 196 Robina Town Centre Drive. Bookings A&R Southport 07 5532 8889
MACKAY, QLD
Wed 8th Sept 6.00pm: An evening with Andy Griffiths: St Patricks College, Gregory Street Mackay QLD Bookseller: Collins Mackay 07 4953 2777
CAIRNS, QLD
Thurs 9th Sept: 4pm An afternoon with Andy Griffiths: Earlville Library, Stockland Shopping Centre
07 4054 5060
ELTHAM, VIC
Fri 10th Sept: 4pm Signing @ Swipers Gully Restaurant, 25 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd Kangaroo Ground Bookseller: Eltham Bookshop, 9439 8700
CAMBERWELL, VIC
Fri 10th Sept: 6.00pm An evening with Andy Griffiths: Dymocks Camberwell, 793 Burke Rd Camberwell phone: 9882 0032
GLEN WAVERLY, VIC
Sat 11th Sept: 10.00am Signing Dymocks, the Glen SC, Cnr Springvale & High Street Glen Waverly. Phone 98863011
KNOX CITY, VIC
Sat 11th Sept: 1.00pm Signing Target Knox City SC, 425 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South
Phone: 9871 8000
MELBOURNE, VIC
Sun 12th Sept: 10.30am A morning with Andy, Dymocks Melbourne, 234 Collins Street Melb.
Bookings; 9660-8500 email: levents@dymocks.com.au
JOONDALUP, WA
Tues 14th Sept, 5pm: An evening with Andy, Dymocks Joondalup, ph 08 93000895
ALBANY, WA (Sprung Festival)
Thurs 16th Sept, 4-5pm Signing, Dymocks Albany, 171 York Street Albany WA
ALBANY, WA (Sprung Festival)
Thurs 16th Sept, 6.30-8.00pm: Meet the Writer, Albany Town Hall Theatre
ALFRED COVE, PERTH WA
Saturday 18th Sept, 2pm An afternoon with Andy, Tompkins Park Function Centre, Cnr Dunkley Ave, Canning Highway, Alfred Cove, Perth. Phone Dymocks, Garden City 08 9315 5568
MOUNT BARKER, SA
Sunday 19th Sept 3pm: Mt Barker Library, Dumas Street, Mt Barker 5251. A&R Glenelg Bookings: 08 8376 1112
MARION CULTURAL CENTRE, OAKLANDS PARK, SA
Sunday 19th Sept, 6.30pm 287 Diagonal Rd, Oaklands Park. A&R Glenelg: 08 8376 1112
STIRLING, SA
Monday 20th Sept, 6.00pm, An evening with Andy: The Coventry Memorial Library, Mt Barker Rd Stirling Bookings: 08 8339 3931
TUGGERANONG, ACT
Thurs 23rd Sept, 4pm. An evening with Andy
Dymmocks bookshop Tuggeranong Hyperdome, Anketell St. Tuggeranong.
Dymocks Tuggeranong, 02 6293 9055
ALBERT PARK, MELB
Sat 25th Sept, 10.30am: A morning with Andy Griffiths: Gasworks, 21 Graham St Albert Park
Phone 03 934 7726
NEW ZEALAND VERY BAD BOOK TOUR
Mon 18th–Fri 22nd October
Details to be announced
OCEAN GROVE, VIC
Sat Dec 4th, 10.30am Talk & signing (Gold coin donation to the Indigenous Literacy Project)
1/73 The terrace, Ocean Grove Vic 3226 p 03 5255 5973 email: Stacey Moore@bookgrove.com.au www.bookgrove.com.au
THE VERY BAD SHOW: RMIT MELBOURNE VIC.
School season 24th Nov-14th Dec
Public season 4th Jan-21st Jan
Time: Two shows daily at 10.30am, 1pm
Venue: RMIT Kaleide Theatre, Building 8, Level 2, 360 Swanston St
Price: $12.50 http://www.launch.rmit.edu.au/the_childrens_show.html
Posted on 14 August 2010 Permanent link to this post Comments (0)
Just Macbeth! at the Sydney Opera House: June/July 2010 & Edinburgh Fringe Festival: August 2010
Following a rip-roaringly successful season in 2008, Just Macbeth! returns with many of the original cast. Loaded with gags aimed at children and adults alike, it’s an absolute treat for the whole family.
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: Thurs 24th June, 2010 until Sat 31st July, 2010. Tickets on sale NOW. Visit Bell Shakespeare for more details.
Also at: Edinburgh Fringe Festival from Thu 5th Aug – Sun 29th Aug
Where: Assembly @ George Street Ballroom, Edinburgh
When: 11.45am-1.15pm daily. Tickets on sale NOW. Visit Edinburgh Fringe
Click here to watch highlights from the 2008 production of Just Macbeth! along with interviews with cast, director and Andy from ABC1’s The 7.30 Report.
Click here to read reviews from the 2008 production of Just Macbeth!
Just Macbeth! Review
By Editor – Posted on 16 August 2010
5 STARS
Venue: Assembly Rooms
Company: Bell Shakespeare
Running time: 90mins
Production: Bell Shakespeare
Performers: Patrick Brammall, Pippa Grandison, John Leary, Rhiannon Owen, Mark Owen Taylor
This play was billed as suitable for ages 7-77, so this review is a little different. It was created as a conversation between a father, Scott Grant, and his nine-year-old daughter Iona after seeing the show on Sunday 15th August.
Dad: Another festival play, Iona. What did you think of this one?
Iona: I thought that one was really good, dad. Ten out of ten.
Dad: I agree. I’d give it ten out of ten too.
Iona: It was very funny.
Dad: Yes, I noticed you started laughing even before the actors came on.
Iona: It was all the stage props and the jokes that were written on them. Some of them were really funny.
Dad: I liked the feet on all the foot lights.
Iona:
Dad: I looked around while the play was on, and the adults were laughing just as much as the kids. It’s not often you get humour that is funny for the parents as well as the children.
Iona: The actors were really good at being kids. That’s one of the things I liked – adults acting like kids is really funny.
Dad: Yes, they did a good job. I could hear you and your brother arguing when I listened to them – mind you I hear you and your brother fighting whatever I’m doing these days.
Iona: He starts it.
Dad: Anyway. What else stands out for you?
Iona: ‘ Thought the gnome played a very good part. He was very gnome-like indeed.
Dad: Yes. I’m not quite sure what that was all about, but it certainly marked this Macbeth out from any other I’ve ever heard about!
Iona: Don’t they all have gnomes in them then?
Dad: Erm…
Iona: The back scenery was amazing.
Dad: The backdrop projection?
Iona: Yes. There were lots of funny bits going on there. I especially liked it when they were pretending to run and the shadows were moving backwards while they stayed where they were.
Dad: And the dead body slowly slid himself off stage in time with the movements?
Iona: That was a brilliant idea.
Dad: I thought they got the cheesiness factor just right. It was meant to be in a school, and it was like someone playing on an overhead projector.
Iona: Dad, I think that’s exactly what it was.
Dad: Well, he seemed to be enjoying himself anyway. It added another dimension to the play I thought.
Iona: Eh?
Dad: Made it that bit more interesting. I also liked the wee contemporary bits they added in.
Iona: What does “contemporary” mean?
Dad: It means “up-to-date”. “Modern”.
Iona: Like the McDonald’s sign? And the fact that they used McDonald’s stuff for all the horrible ingredients that the witches used?
Dad: Exactly.
Iona: And the karaoke? That was really hilarious.
Dad: Is there anything you didn’t like, Iona?
Iona: I was a bit worried that I might be learning something. It’s still the summer holidays you know.
Dad: I think you learned quite a bit about Shakespeare – Macbeth at least.
Iona: All I knew about Macbeth was that you weren’t allowed to say the name of the play if you were in it. Now I know the whole story. And I know what a soliloquy is. I can’t believe you got me learning stuff on my holidays!
Dad: I thought the way the children were slowly drawn in to the story was good. At the start they spoke mostly in English – well, as English as an Australian can get. But by the end, they were almost entirely speaking in Shakespearian.
Iona: I found that a bit hard to understand in places.
Dad: Did you? You may have thought that you didn’t understand it, but if you got the story out of it, then maybe you understood more than you think you did.
Iona: I suppose I must have. I’m certainly not worried about hearing more Shakespeare after this.
Dad: So what was your favorite bit.
Iona: Right at the end, when we all got scooshed with water pistols. If you are sitting in the front row you should really have an umbrella.
Dad: You seemed to like the stickers and tattoos at the end too.
Iona: Yeah. And the program turns into one of them fortune tellers, if you fold it up.
Dad: Cool.
Iona: And the Andy actor put a hundred marshmallows in his mouth at the same time.
Dad:
Iona: And then spat them out again.
Dad: I really enjoyed all of it, I must admit. Perhaps the running scene with the dead body, or perhaps just the way they slowly drew us from modern talking into Shakespearian language. It was all very well done.
Iona: I’d just like to add one thing. If your dad is only going to take you to one show this festival – try and get him to take you to this one. Just Macbeth! was brilliant.
Show times
Till 29 August (not 17), 11.45 am
Ticket Prices
£8.50 (£7.50)
Posted on 16 June 2010 Permanent link to this post Comments (11)
Meet Andy in 2010: Events
JUST MACBETH! Live on Stage SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, SYDNEY 24TH JUNE – 1ST AUG http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/buytickets/2010productions
JUST MACBETH! Live on stage EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL 4TH AUG – 31 AUG
Assembly@George Street, Edinburgh 11.45am Tickets on sale now!
www.edfringe.com
THE VERY BAD BOOK TOUR: SEPTEMBER 2010
http://andygriffiths.com.au/books/theverybadbook
SPRUNG FESTIVAL, Albany WA : Sep 17-19
http://sprung.albany.wa.gov.au/
OCTOBER: NEW ZEALAND TOUR
THE VERY BAD SHOW! Melbourne, VIC: Dec 2010-Jan 2011 RMIT productions, http://www.launch.rmit.edu.au/performingarts.html
School season opening Wed 24th November till Tuesday 14th December: Public Season Opening 4th January 2011 till Friday 21st January 2011. 2 shows a day.
Posted on 9 February 2010 Permanent link to this post Comments (19)
Terry Denton stinks!
Dear Terry and Andy
I think Terry Denton stinks
And, no, it isn’t what you think
It’s not that his old undies pong
It’s just that all his books are long
And filled with things so very gross
They put me off my breakfast toast
I have a son – he reads quite well
But after reading likes to tell
The funny parts of books he’s read
Which is bad enough at time for bed
But the horrid little bloke
Wants to make his Mother choke
So lately he has started reading
Stuff with gore and guts and bleeding
From Terry’s books while having dinner!
I tell you this is not a winner
What do you think ‘bout snot and poo?
Not good with food, I’m telling you!
My smarty kids have just corrected
Me, by saying he’s connected
With Andy Griffiths, who, they said
Has all the Yuk stuff in his head
It’s him who writes down all the words
And then these two revolting nerds
Make a book which Terry draws
I’m certain there should be some laws
To make sure it’s against the rules
To let these post-pubescent fools
Publish books so horrid boys
And girls can grin and find their joys
By bringing up their Mother’s lunch
So I am sending you this bunch
Of words to tell you what I feel
I hope you understand the real
Feeling that I have for you
It may be you’re the only two.
Grown up men whose work I know
Can make a loving Mother go
To the library, axe in hand
To chop down all the big bookstands
So never more into our house
Will come a book which makes me rouse
Upon my darling boys for reading!
Please hear my slow pathetic pleading
And….
Keep up the good work
Kind Regards,
Kelli Dendle
PS: Sadly my daughter finds your work somewhat amusing too.
Posted on 26 November 2009 Permanent link to this post Comments (24)
The Big Fat Cow that goes Kapow is an honour book for the 2009 Koala kids choice awards
Posted on 29 October 2009 Permanent link to this post Comments (7)
Meet Andy: Sunday 1st Nov, 1pm Melbourne Museum: Children365 Family Fun Day
As Children’s Week celebrations draw to a close, a new initiative—Children365: celebrate them every day—will be launched at Melbourne Museum on Sunday 1 November 2009.
The concept for Children365 was developed after the tragic death of Darcey Freeman in early 2009. Following the loss of their precious little girl, Darcey’s mother and her family suggested an annual day to cherish all children. They asked the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to help make it a reality. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation initiative Children365 encourages all of us to cherish our children every single day of the year.
The Victorian State Government is proud to partner this initiative and by hosting a family fun day to launch the beginning of Children365. This day signifies the end of a week of celebrating children and the commitment to cherish and protect our children every day of the year. Melbourne Museum is supporting Children365 by generously offering FREE entry for all adult patrons on Sunday 1 November 2009. Concession and children 16 years and under are free every day.
ACTIVITIES AT THE FAMILY FUN DAY
A wide range of free activities will take place throughout the family fun day including – kite and puppet making workshops, chalk drawing, appearances from Premier’s Reading Challenge Ambassadors, sports and games, arts and crafts, entertainment and lots more!
The museum is open from 10am until 5pm. Most of the free activities will run from 10.30am until approximately 3.30pm (some will finish a little later). Andy will be speaking at 1.00pm. Some activities will be held outside the museum (in marquees such as the kite making), but most will take place inside. A full program of the day will be distributed to patrons attending the event and will also be available on our website from mid October.
Posted on 25 September 2009 Permanent link to this post Comments (2)
2–24 October 2009 THE DAY MY BUM WENT PSYCHO–LIVE ON STAGE–DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND!!
FORTUNE THEATRE, DUNEDIN NZ PRESENTS:
THE DAY MY BUM WENT PSYCHO by ANDY GRIFFITHS
adapted and directed by LAURA COONEY
Zack Freeman is ready to tell his story… The story of a boy and his crazy bum. The story of a crack bum-fighting unit called the B-team, a legendary Bum Hunter and his formidable daughter, and some of the biggest, ugliest and meanest bums ever to roam the face of the Earth. A story of courage and endurance that takes Zack on a journey across the Great Windy Desert, through the Brown Forest and over the Sea of Bums before descending into the heart of an explosive bumcano to confront the biggest, ugliest and meanest bum of them all… The Day My Bum Went Psycho — a story that you and your bum will never forget.
2–24 October 2009 Performance times: Tues 6pm – Wed to Sat 6.30pm – Sunday 4pm 11am matinees weekdays – check box office for school holiday and term time matinee details. Family ticket prices available
Review:
The bums of the world have rebelled! Urged on by the rebel leader, Zack’s bum, bums everywhere have detached themselves from their owners and are forming an army to build the most terrifying and dangerous bumcano of them all, in an attempt to take their rightful place on top of the shoulders of their owners. they will put up with being stuck inside pants no longer!
Director Cooney set out to make The Day My Bum Went Psycho resemble an action movie on stage, and i can confidently say she has succeeded in doing so. zack Freeman (taylor), and the “b” team, a group of bum fighters, cross the great windy Desert, the brown Forest, and the sea of bums, complete with fight scenes, acrobatics, and a dramatic finale on the edge of the bumcano and a pit of hungry maggots. The Day My Bum Went Psycho was filled with gimmicks, props, farts, bangs, bums, cracks, sounds, and flashy lighting, and the kids loved it.
The action really starts to get going when we are introduced to the “b” team. as eleanor (Pollard) and zack escape two rogue bums in the bum mobile, the team pops out of numerous places; the action freezes for a second as they pull numerous poses and introduce themselves, all the while fighting off the bums and escaping. the lighting and sound are perfect for this act, and some great images are formed with the chaos of the team highlighted. big ups to gary Kierle and rebecca de Propso, who did a fantastic job with the lighting and sound.
My favourite parts of the show were the transition stages, which showed the team’s travel in between the main action. zack and the “b” team had awesome roller shoes and came on and off the stage joyously reacting and playing with one another. here, we were also privy to some acrobatics with cartwheels and turns. the acrobatics also cropped up in some of the fight scenes, for which armstrong needs to be particularly commended. i loved the acrobatics but wanted to see more, more, more.
The actors were all great and enthusiastic and i enjoyed their genuine passion for fighting the evil bums of the world. i particularly adored nielson as Kicker, a stereotypical jock who just wanted to kick the bums of the bums …?! or anyone else who got in his way.
Cooney did a great job including the audience in on the action. there ain’t no audience participation quite like encouraging a bunch of kids to make fart noises. i also enjoyed zac’s bum (gorgeously voiced by georgia Cooney) speaking directly to the bums of the audience to not fear, as they wouldn’t have to put up with being squished on to the seats for much longer.
The Day My Bum Went Psycho is good, dirty fun. i would say it is also about bravery, looking after your friends and standing up to evil. It is about adventure, the journey and the fun of poppy music that left the kid next to me literally dancing out of the theatre.
JessICA JeffRIes, ‘Critic’ #27
Posted on 23 September 2009 Permanent link to this post Comments (0)
Meet Andy: Sunday 18th Oct, Stringybark Sustainability Festival: Rowville, Vic.
Andy will be giving a talk and book signing at Knox City Council’s Stringybark Festival on Sun 18th October at 2.00 pm.
The Stringybark Festival is Australia’s longest running sustainability festival. Spread across five acres of the Rowville Community Centre reserve, and regularly attracting more than 20,000 visitors, the festival has become one of the most significant community environmental festivals on the national calendar.
Stringybark is a great day out for the whole family with live music, fun activities and workshops for all ages, a huge chill out chai tent to lounge in, extensive markets, fairground, food and drink, plus the award winning adventure playground. All this whilst showcasing how to reduce our impact on the environment through small, cheap and easily achievable steps.
The Stringybark Suburban Sustainability Festival is on Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 October 2009 10am – 5pm Rowville Community Centre.
For more information visit: http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=12280
USE LESS – WASTE LESS – PAY LESS – LIVE SMARTER
Posted on 20 September 2009 Permanent link to this post Comments (4)
Sept 2009: ROBOT RIOT! Regional tour NSW, QLD, VIC.
MARRICKVILLE, SYDNEY, BRISBANE, BENDIGO, BALLARAT, SUNBURY, MELB, BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL, MILDURA, DUBBO, ORANGE, BATHURST, LEURA, PENRITH.
…. ….
Hi everyone, thanks for making the robot riot tour one of the biggest and best yet! Stand by for THE VERY BAD BOOK tour in 2010.
Click here to read Jeffery E Doherty’s write up of one of the Robot Riot school events in Bathurst, NSW on his blog.