Award-winning production The Bookbinder set to open at Arts Centre Melbourne in 2026
Award-winning company Trick of the Light Theatre is heading to Arts Centre Melbourne with The Book binder – a wildly inventive one-man show set in a bookbinder’s workshop playing in The Show Room from 23 – 25 April 2026. After sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and a sweep of awards around the world, this darkly magical, pocket-sized production will delight curious children and adventurous adults.
An old bookbinder sits down to read the tale of an erstwhile apprentice. As he speaks the story spills from the pages and into the bindery – from pop-up book to puppetry, storytelling to live action.
Writer and Performer Ralph McCubbin Howell:
It’s an epic adventure in miniature,Whilst it might at first appear a standard storytelling, it swiftly spirals into something quite unexpected.
First staged in the back room of a second hand bookshop, The Bookbinder has gone on to tour the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, South Africa, and China – from the Lincoln Center, NYC, to the attic of Aotearoa’s oldest bookbindery. Its awards include Best Theatre and Best of the Fringe (NZ Fringe), Best Children’s Show (Fringe World, Perth), and the International Excellence Award (Sydney Fringe). The show also enjoyed a sold-out extended run at Melbourne Fringe in 2014.
A dark fairytale in the vein of Coraline, and Jonathon Strange & Mr. Norrell, The Bookbinder is suitable for adults and older children (8+).
Trick of the Light is an award-winning theatre company from Te Whanganui-A-Tara (Wellington) in Aotearoa / New Zealand, founded by Hannah Smith and Ralph McCubbin Howell. They like to make theatre that is playful, inventive, thought-provoking, and that speaks to the here and now.
Their shows range from dark cross-over works for adults and older children to biting political satire, but are unified by their engaging, nuanced stories, inventive design, and belief that theatre should resonate with the wider world.
The Bookbinder reviews:
A real delight” -The Guardian, UK
A must-see gem” ★★★★½ The West Australian
With storytelling of the highest quality, Trick Of The Light have created something truly beautiful”★★★★★ Three Weeks, Edinburgh
Season Details
Venue: The Show Room
Date: 23– 25 April 2026
For more information click HERE
Photo Credit: Philip Merry Axolotl
