Victoria, June 2024 – ecoDynamics has been proudly contributing to a groundbreaking, sensory-rich theatre experience, When the World Turns, a collaboration between Australia’s Polyglot Theatre and the UK’s Oily Cart. This unique project, commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne, is specially designed for young people with complex disabilities and their families, blending immersive theatre with nature in a way that is truly magical.

The production, which is touring specialist and supported inclusion schools across Victoria, has recently been recognised with a prestigious PAC Australia – Australian Performing Arts Exchange IMPACT Award. This accolade celebrates Polyglot Theatre’s partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne, honouring their efforts to make When the World Turns accessible to young people with complex disabilities in a meaningful and impactful way.

“We’re so proud that Polyglot Theatre’s partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne to share When the World Turns in Victorian specialist schools has been recognised with this IMPACT Award!” Nick Somes ecoDynamics CEO shared in celebration.

The performance brings theatre directly to schools, ensuring that students who may not typically have access to such performances can experience the wonder of live theatre in their familiar environments. ecoDynamics plays a key role in bringing this vision to life, providing thousands of plants to create the lush, living sets that are central to the sensory experience.

“We’re over the moon to be involved in such a meaningful and impactful project,” Nick Somes ecoDynamics CEO shared. “We’re supplying thousands of plants, making sure they get to each show and back, and sharing our horticultural expertise along the way.”

The plants themselves are more than just part of the backdrop; they are integral to the immersive experience, engaging the audience’s senses through touch, sight, and smell. This approach allows participants to explore a vibrant natural world through sound, light, shadows, and the scent of living foliage, creating a truly one-of-a-kind environment for young people who often face barriers to traditional theatre experiences.

ecoDynamics’ involvement began during the premiere season of When the World Turns at the Arts Centre Melbourne in 2022, where the company supplied an impressive 11,000 plants. The success of that initial run has led to continued collaboration, with ecoDynamics supporting the creative development of the show’s new touring version. Last year, the team contributed over 2,000 plants to Polyglot Theatre’s residency at Glenroy Specialist School, helping bring the production to life within the school’s walls.

“This project has allowed us to use our horticultural expertise in a truly unexpected way,” Jeff Beavis ecoDynamics Nursery Manager reflected. “We never imagined being part of a theatre production, but we love the opportunity to help create a sensory world that young people can explore and enjoy.”

When the World Turns represents a beautiful fusion of theatre, nature, and accessibility. Thanks to the support of Arts Centre Melbourne and the Cassandra Gantner Foundation, this production continues to provide children with complex disabilities a chance to experience the magic of live theatre, right where they feel most at home.

For more information about the tour or to learn about future performances, visit Polyglot Theatre’s website at polyglot.org.au.