THE FLYING CANOE is an interactive audio experience for families to do together that will transport them to the islands of Kiribati!

Featuring an oceanic soundscape that includes traditional Kiribati songs, families will transform their lounge room into a world of myth and wonder.

Written by Marita Davies and featuring performances and artwork by artists from the Kiribati diaspora, ‘The Flying Canoe’ is the follow up work to Threshold's internationally acclaimed 'Mountain Goat Mountain'.

So jump on board ‘The Flying Canoe’ and see the world differently on Island time. Launching as part of DreamBIG Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre and with ArtPlay, City of Melbourne in May 2023.

Register for your complimentary pass to ‘The Flying Canoe’ below.

After registering, you’ll be asked to create an account. You use your account to access the adventure - and will be able to return to it as many times as you like for 40 days.

The sounds of The Flying Canoe

In partnership with the Victorian Kiribati Association, Threshold held a Kiribati Cultural Day in Kyneton - with performances by the Kiribati community living in Victoria at the time.

Recordings of the singing and dancing performed on the day form an integral part of the soundscape, giving 'The Flying Canoe' a dynamically Kiribati flavour.

The Kiribati Cultural Day was held at the Social Foundry, on the unceded land of the Taungurung people.

You can hear how the energy and rhythm of the live performances has informed the immersive soundscape in this excerpt…

The Flying Canoe’ follows the story of a cheeky and charming apprentice magic spinner, Nei Konoia - and invites families to join her on a journey that will take them all the way to the islands of Kiribati!

Nei Kinoia comes from a long line of Magic Spinners, but on the night she was supposed to become one herself, she got distracted - as many Kiribati people do -  singing in the Frangipani tree.

Now she plans to turn back time and trick the spirits of Neiko into giving her their blessing to join her ancestors in spinning magic!

The only thing is, she needs someone to take her there FAST. A regular canoe won’t do the trick, she needs one to fly, and she needs you and your family to fly it!

Together you’ll meet some sassy, salty spirits, fend off giant mud crabs, and dive into crystal blue waters. You’ll hear the sounds of Kiribati and hopefully, hopefully…you’ll help Kinoia become the magic spinner she was born to be!

Tia nako!

Let’s go!

Hear from writer Marita Davies

about ‘The Flying Canoe.’

CREATIVE TEAM

  • Marita Davies

  • Teaote Davies

  • Lucy Harris

  • ASPR Katerina Teaiwa

  • Zoë Barry

  • Bobby Macumber

  • Matari McKenna

  • Emma Bortignon

'The Flying Canoe' is a Threshold experience created by Marita Davies, Lucy Harris, Zoë Barry, Tahli Corin and Sarah Lockwood.

It features the voices of Bobby Macumber, Teaote Burabura Davies and Matari McKenna as well as performances from members of the Kiribati diaspora living and working in Victoria. Cultural consultation from Teaote Burabura Davies and Katerina Teaiwa.

THE FLYING CANOE was recorded on the unceded lands of the Taungurung People and developed with the support of Multicultural Arts Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria and the Victorian Kiribati Association.

Thanks to Commissioning Partners

Dream Big, Adelaide Festival Centre and ArtPlay, City of Melbourne