Show Content

The Worm is a story about a little worm whose life is turned upside down when a giant bird snatches his mother away. The worm travels through dark tunnels, abandoned streets, and underground bars in search of her. Along the way he encounters an Old Worm, a Blind Rat, a Snail, a talking flower bulb, a poisonous spider, and a Gardener. The journey moves from darkness to light and explores courage and trust.

The set looks like a tunnel through soil underground. A musician performs live on stage alongside recorded music and sound effects.

Fog and haze are used at times to create the atmosphere of the underground world. Lighting shifts between darker scenes and brighter moments. Characters move, sing, and dance during the show.

Recommended for ages 6 years and older.

Content Warning

Distressing themes: While this is a fictional story involving tension, physical violence with baddies and death, it has a happy ending for our main worm family.

Pre-Show Demonstration

A short pre-show demonstration will begin in the foyer then move into the theatre, to show some of the lighting, sound, and staging used in the show. Performers and the musician will be introduced.

Post-Show Optional Feedback

Tea, juice and biscuits will be offered in the foyer after the show for people who want to share feedback.

Arrival Information

This image depicts the exterior of The PumpHouse Theatre, a historic brick building with a tall chimney rising above the roof.

Getting to PumpHouse

Located in Killarney Park on the shores of Lake Pupuke, the entrance marked by a sign at the top of the driveway.

Click here for A 3D virtual tour of the PumpHouse.

Click here to find Parking at PumpHouse

There are around 30 free 180 minute parks, including 2 accessible spaces, near the theatre entrance in Killarney Park.

Additional parks (with 2 accessible spaces) in the main Killarney Park car park opposite Auburn Street.

The Space

The image depicts The PumpHouse Theatre’s empty stage with a black floor, curtained wings, and a white screen at the back. Red curtains frame the sides, with lighting rigged overhead and grey patterned carpet in the foreground.

Seating

The Pumphouse Theatre has allocated seating, where you are assigned a specific seat when booking.

Seats B14 and C14 are specifically reserved as wheelchair accessible seats and additional seats can be removed to accommodate additional wheelchair accessible seats.

If you have trouble booking these seats please contact the box office on 489 8360.

Moving Around the Space

Audience members may move in and out of the theatre during the show. To leave the theatre, move to the nearest exit door. Support staff and ushers are available to assist.

Amenities

A bathroom is available for patrons at ground level. The bathroom features an access ramp and is located outside of the theatre across the brick courtyard.

A chill-out zone is located outside in an ezi-up tent on the brick courtyard close to the entrance.

Technical Information

Lighting

Lighting is used throughout the show to create atmosphere, including:

• Changes in colour, brightness, and position

• White, yellow, blue, and orange/red lighting

• Moments of low lighting and darkness

• In the show, lights shine from the ceiling, behind the set and also a little from the floor

• A neon light sign that flickers on at times

• A large lightbulb that lights up

No moving lights point directly at the audience.

The audience are welcome to use a hat or sunglasses during the show to be comfortable under the lights.

Sound

Sound in the show includes:

• Live music performed on stage

• Recorded music and sound effects

• One song performed by the actors and musician

• Loud sound effects and noisy props in some scenes

• Actors speaking or shouting loudly at times

• Audience reactions such as clapping, cheering, and laughter

The audience are welcome to use ear plugs, noise cancelling headphones, or other forms of ear protection to comfortably enjoy the show.

Audience Interaction

Performers move through parts of the audience space.

• Actors travel along aisles and across two rows of seating.

• These rows are clearly marked.

Audience responses such as laughing, clapping, and cheering are welcome, or to sit quietly if they prefer.

Special Effects

This show contains:

• Smoke and haze effects: Fog will billow onto the stage and the audience, making the theatre look smokey. 

• The fog does not smell like anything and there is no real fire or smoke in the theatre.

• Giant puppets/props are used on the stage including:

• A large spider

• A giant spade that drops onto the stage

• A large bird’s beak

• Three smaller bird puppets

Want to Know More?

You can ask for:

• A video of the show

• A video of the venue

• A scene-by-scene summary of the show

• Any other support you may need

For more information or to make a request, please contact:

Virginia Frankovich

access@nightsong.co.nz