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Esplanade Presents
24 Mar 2026, Tue, 9.30am & 11am
(Intermission: None)
Esplanade Recital Studio
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Little Bozu and Kon Kon tells a tender story of friendship, acceptance and self-discovery.
When a shapeshifting raccoon and a misunderstood fox cross paths, a series of mix-ups and mistaken identities lead them on a journey of understanding. As they learn to see past appearances, their unlikely bond grows from curiosity and kindness into true friendship.
Featuring beautifully designed puppets by Mayu Iwasaki and crafted by Katrina Gaskell, this gentle tale invites young audiences to reflect on empathy, differences and the warmth of connection.
There will be a 15min post-show interaction with the puppets on set after each performance.
Production Credits
Story and Design: Mayu Iwasaki
Composer: Me-Lee Hay
Lighting Designer: Matt Cox
Puppet Designer and Maker: Katrina Gaskell
Performer:s Mayu Iwasaki, Freya Pragt, Shingo Usami
Set Construction: Thomas Creative, Steve Howarth
Monkey Baa Artistic Director: Eva Di Cesare
Producers: Omusubi Productions, Monkey Baa Theatre Company
Accessibility
Assistive Listening
Mayu Iwasaki, Omusubi Productions
Mayu Iwasaki is the daughter of a puppeteer, born in Tokyo and now based in Sydney, which she has called home for half her life. She is a bilingual actor and puppeteer, and the founder of award-nominated Omusubi Productions, named after the Japanese food symbolising connection.
She trained in New York at the Atlantic Theatre Conservatory and with SITI Company, and made her Sydney Theatre Company debut in White Pearl. In 2020, Mayu became the inaugural Creative Associate at Monkey Baa Theatre Company—one of Australia’s longest-running companies for young audiences—where she developed and performed the original bilingual puppet show Little Bozu and Kon Kon, inspired by her Japanese roots. Screen and stage credits include NCIS: Sydney (Paramount+), Salt Along the Tongue (SXSW), Top Knot Detective (SBS), Goldfish (Terrapin/Aichi Arts Theatre), White Pearl (STC/NTofP), Dinosaur Zoo (Erth Visual & Physical Inc.), Fallen (Mozawa, Chicago), Love and Information (Atlantic Theatre Company, NYC), and Morgan O-Yuki (Shakespeare & Co., NYC).
Assistive Listening
24 Mar 2026, Tue
9.30am
11am
School Bookings
[Preschool] For every 20 student tickets purchased per performance, one complimentary teacher ticket will be issued.
[Primary] The complimentary offer is only available for purchases made in a single transaction for the same show title.
Please contact us at education@esplanade.com if your school is not listed or if your students are not within the recommended age group.
Homeschools and International Schools
To make a booking, please contact Esplanade Box Office at 68288389 or email boxoffice@esplanade.com.
For enquiries, email education@esplanade.com.
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