Much-loved book Emily Loves to Bounce by Stephen Michael King has inspired a theatre show of the same name which will hit the stage in Bathurst later this month.

This highly visual show, incorporates evocative design, virtuosic music and just a little theatre magic.

The family-friendly show follows carefree Henry, practical Amy and a ball named Emily as they turn the world upside down and right way round, and learn that working together in spite of their differences brings out the best in everyone.

Naomi Edwards, from Patch Theatre said: “Emily Loves to Bounce is full of humour and so utterly relatable – the wonderful music, the colourful set where the balls and boxes take on a life of their own – and the magical lighting design by Geoff Cobham.”

She said audiences do not need to have read the book to share the joy of the production.

“Not being a straight adaptation of the three books [Henry and Amy, Emily Loves to Bounce and Patricia] allows for this production to deliver a richer experience because kids can make their own connections with the characters and draw their own meaning from the stories,” Ms Edwards said.

“At its heart Emily Loves to Bounce is about forming friendships and learning how to get along with each other – so it’s best seen as a family or in a group of playmates.

“Our aim is to inspire imagination and conversation, long after you’ve left the theatre – whether that’s a family chat over the dinner table or brothers, sisters or best mates having fun building their own castles together out of old cardboard boxes.”

Theatre critic Andy Ahrens described Emily Loves to Bounce as: “Simple but stunning theatre-craft at work … ingeniously conceived and perfectly executed … a gold standard of children’s theatre”.

“The squeals of delight, excited chatter and unabashed happy hollering from the under-eights in the crowd confirmed the utter success of this delightful production.”

Emily Loves to Bounce in on at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre Thursday, May 25 at 6.30pm and Friday, May 16 at 10am and 12:30pm.

Patch Theatre Company is Australia’s only national theatre company dedicated to making theatre for four to eight year olds.

Over its 44 year history the company has performed to over 1.7 million children and their families both nationally and internationally, including seasons in the US, Singapore and Canada.