A Bookish Circus Adventure Arrives at the Walter Reid

Published on 01 September 2026

Young imaginations are set to soar when internationally acclaimed Canadian theatre company Le Gros Orteil brings its delightful family show The Librarian to the Walter Reid Cultural Centre on 26 and 27 September as part of Rockhampton Regional Council's See It Live Theatre Season.

Blending clowning, physical theatre and circus arts, The Librarian follows the adventures of Paul-Émile Dumoulin, a serious and orderly librarian whose carefully structured world is turned upside down whenever he opens a book.

As reality fades away, audiences are transported into a series of wildly imaginative worlds where Paul-Émile transforms into an array of quirky characters. Along the way, he performs acrobatics, balancing acts, juggling, breakdancing and beatboxing, revealing just how far reading can take us when we let our imaginations run free.

Perfect for families and children during the school holidays, The Librarian celebrates the joy of reading and the limitless possibilities found within the pages of a book.

Based in Canada, Le Gros Orteil is renowned for creating high-quality productions for young audiences that combine theatre, circus and clowning. The company places a strong focus on improvisation, authentic emotion and audience interaction, creating engaging performances that captivate children and adults alike.

Praised by critics and audiences around the world, The Librarian has been described by My Theatre as a performance where "the children react instantly and let themselves be won over by the literary fever."

This production creates a wonderful opportunity for families to experience live theatre together during the school holidays.

Tickets are on sale now, with performances at the Walter Reid Cultural Centre on Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September.

The Librarian
Location: Walter Reid Cultural Centre – Cnr. Derby and East St, Rockhampton City
Time: 11am & 2pm
Dates: Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 September 2026

Recommendations: Suitable for ages 5-12 years

Tickets are available now at www.seeitlive.com.au/TheLibrarian, by calling 4927 4111, or visiting the Pilbeam Theatre Box Office.

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About the Creator | Le Gros Orteil

Le Gros Orteil is an organisation whose mission is to create high-quality shows for young audiences, combining the disciplines of clown, theatre and circus. We advocate improvisation as a starting point when bringing a show to life, truthful emotions and interaction with the audience are also a priority.

Because children are spontaneous sparks with an overflowing imagination, our performances give a large space for the imagination to flourish, with themes related to travelling and dreaming. Without the fourth wall, the artists embark the children in a journey made out of stories, emotions and personal thoughts. Without necessarily it being the main objective, a pedagogical focus is always present in the productions of the company. The educational message gets incorporated subtly into the performing arts, without taking away their essence.

ENDS