logo

QPAC

Accessibility Toolbar
  • What's On
    • All Events
    • Accessible Performances
    • Clancestry
    • First Nations
    • Digital Stage
    • For Schools
    • Backstage Tours
    • Festivals & Seasons
    • Gift Ideas
  • Visit
    • Accessibility
    • Getting Here
    • Eat & Drink
    • Our Theatres & Spaces
    • Traffic Updates & Notices
  • Engage
    • Creative Learning
    • First Nations Art
    • Projects & Events
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Community Support Program
  • Support
    • Donate
    • QPAC Foundation
    • Supporters
    • Partnerships
    • Gifts in Wills
    • Membership
  • Secondary Links
    • My Account
    • Gift Certificates
    • Newsroom
    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • About Us
    • Venue Hire
    • Functions
    • Working with Us
Stay up to date with QPAC news. Subscribe to QPAC emails.
QPAC logo
Queensland Government emblem

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, towards creating a better Queensland.

  • …
  • What’s On
  • Digital Stage
  • The Riddle of Washpool Gully
The Riddle of Washpool Gully
  • On Demand
  • Theatre

the-riddle-of-washpool-gully-by-david-morton The Riddle of Washpool Gully Dead Puppet Society On Demand, Theatre The Riddle of Washpool Gully by David Morton

Watch Now
Digital Stage
Watch Now
Free

Overview

Far beyond the outskirts of the big city, near a tiny town that nearly everyone forgot, lay a dry creek bed of no special significance. Once upon a time it had been called Washpool Gully. But the world had moved on from insignificant things, and no one had time for dry creek beds. Except in Washpool Gully something was stirring. Shaken by the rumble of engines and darkening of the sky, something long asleep had decided to wake up.

Combining old-fashioned storytelling with contemporary puppetry and miniature sets, The Riddle of Washpool Gully is a reimagined tale of Australian mythology about the incredible creatures that might still live in the uncharted corners of our vast country – brought to life by internationally acclaimed Dead Puppet Society (Peter and the Starcatcher, Ishmael, Holding Achilles, The Wider Earth). 

Themes

  • Intercultural Understanding
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and Social Capability
  • Ethical Understanding 
  • Literacy
  • Sustainability

Curriculum Links

This performance provides rich opportunities for students to explore, analyse and respond both pre- and post-performance across the following learning areas:

  • English (Australian Curriculum v9.0)
  • The Arts – Drama (Australian Curriculum v9.0)
  • Humanities and Social Sciences – Geography (Australian Curriculum v9.0)
  • Drama General Senior Syllabus (Queensland)
  • Specific curriculum links are outlined in the document below.

Learning Resources

  • Learning Resource - The Riddle Of Washpool Gully
  • Vividly imagined and meticulously realised with beauty, wit and immense heart.
    The Mercury
  • A stunning piece of theatre which will appeal to young and old.
    Stage Whispers
  • A delicate, poetic, entrancing, yet bold and grounded narrative that sweeps you up from its first to its final words.
    ABM

Important Information

Year Level Suitability

Years 5 to 12

Warnings

This production contains flashing lights.

Digital Stage for Schools

Find out more about Digital Stage for schools

Creatives

  • Director and Designer David Morton
  • Composer Heath Brown
  • Lighting Designer Ben Hughes
  • Dramaturg Sam Routledge
  • Sound Designer Brady Watkins

Cast

  • Boy Reagan Mannix
  • Mother Merlynn Tong
  • Narrator Hugh Parker

Gallery - Production Imagery

  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool Gully Daniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool Gully Daniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool GullyDaniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool Gully Daniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool Gully Daniel Boud
  • The Riddle Of Washpool Gully Daniel Boud

QPAC's Creative Learning Program

  • Image by Andi Crown Photography

    For Schools: Dakota of the White Flats

    13 - 15 May 2026
    Cremorne Theatre

    Part of QPAC's Creative Learning Program, Dakota of the White Flats is a finely crafted narrative shot through with comedy, horror, immersive soundscape and live music.

  • Image by Andi Crown Photography

    Red Leap Theatre Workshop

    14 & 15 May 2026, 11:30am
    Lyric Lounge

    Dakota of the White Flat’s Director will lead a student workshop to build drama skills and explore the themes of the production.

  • Panel: Pathways into Creative Industries

    15 May 2026, 11:30am
    Cremorne Theatre

    This panel introduces students to people who work in the creative industries — artists, producers and technical experts who make theatre, music, film and live performance for a living.

  • Shake & Stir Theatre Co's GRIMMJoel Devereux

    For Schools: GRIMM - Tales from the Brothers Grimm

    22 May - 13 Jun 2026
    Cremorne Theatre

    Part of QPAC's Creative Learning Program, this bold adaption of tales from the Brothers Grimm is a bewitching theatre experience.

  • Macbeth

    For Schools: Macbeth

    6 - 21 Jun 2026
    Playhouse

    Part of QPAC's Creative Learning Program, this production is reimagined at scale, for our age of clickbait and catastrophe.

  • Fantastic Mr Fox

    For Schools: Fantastic Mr Fox

    24 - 28 Jun 2026
    Playhouse

    Part of QPAC's Creative Learning Program, Fantastic Mr Fox sees live actors interact with lush, beautifully-realised animations, bringing to life the magic and touching detail of Dahl’s fantastical world.

  • Storytelling for Healing

    Panel: Storytelling for Healing

    25 Jun 2026, 1pm
    Cremorne Theatre

    A panel discussion about the importance of storytelling in the healing journey for refugees.

  • Lose to Win

    For Schools: Lose to Win

    25 - 27 Jun 2026
    Cremorne Theatre

    Part of QPAC's Creative Learning Program, this production is a celebration of the South Sudanese community, of resilience, and the power of imagination.

Stay up to date with QPAC news. Subscribe to QPAC emails.
  • 136 246
  • Contact Us
  • Help
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
QPAC logo
Queensland Government emblem

Principal Partner

© 2026 Queensland Performing Arts Trust. All rights reserved.