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The Funky Zoo
was created by Sydney singer/ songwriter Ken
Stewart with the assistance of Mittagong musician Phil Paviour. It is a celebration of the joys of children and hope for their
future as happy, well adjusted adults with sensible environmental priorities.
Between November 1992 and October 1993 the Funky Zoo
was performed more than 30 times in a variety of venues including Tumbalong
Park, Darling Harbour for the Festival of Sydney and for the Australian
Conservation Foundation, Bondi Pavilion Theatre for Waverley Council children's
program and at Waterloo Park for Greenpeace. As a result of this work and some radio adaptations,
the title song 'Funky Zoo' was nominated by the Australasian Performing
Right Association as the Children's Song of the Year 1993.
After a prolonged break, Stewart had an urge to bring
back The Funky Zoo. Although 15 years had passed, his environmental
concerns remained. An environmentally conscious society had developed, and
Stewart saw that The Funky Zoo was more relevant
today than ever before. He felt that Australia was ready to take on
what previously seemed like a radical idea - to engage children in the
debate about conserving our planet through a story about friendship.
In 2008, The Funky Zoo was presented in a workshopped run at Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. The next year, Stewart
returned to the home of The Funky Zoo for a week of shows at the Bondi
Pavillion Theatre. This summer, The Funky Zoo toured Sydney's
Inner West to sell-out crowds. The success of this tour prompted Stewart to
organise the biggest tour yet - 8 shows to the outer west suburbs of
Sydney, including 2 shows in Mittagong.
2010 is set to be a HUGE year! Following the current
tour, Stewart will be focusing on the creation of a television pilot for The
Funky Zoo. The show is in pre-production and is scheduled to begin filming
in October. So jump on board quick to see The Funky Zoo up
close and personal before they become Australia's next international
sensation. These crazy animals are ready to take on the world!
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