Wacky Lolly Shooting Machine
A family afternoon of contraptions, scones, stories and one gloriously unnecessary lolly-shooting machine.
by Jens Altheimer
Performance as part of the 2026-27 Touring Program
Children’s Theatre | Community Arts
Led by multidisciplinary artist, quirkologist, clown, tinkerer and always curious maker Jens Altheimer, The Wacky Lolly Shooting Machine is a 120-minute family experience built around invention, shared problem-solving and community gathering.
How it unfolds:
After a playful introduction into chain reactions and the forces that make them work, the young inventors, alongside their equally adventurous grown-up companions divide into small teams. Each team receives a building sheet and a collection of recycled and everyday materials that feel real, tactile and full of possibility.
Through tinkering, testing and experimentation, they build one section of a room-sized chain reaction. Swinging rubber hammers, exploding balloons, ball-kicking boots and collapsing coffee-cup towers are tested, adjusted and re-purposed.
The sections are then connected, trialled and explained to the group.
Theatrical twist: the lolly machine stalls, a flag calls for the repair service and a ringing telephone triggers the first community-built section. The chain reaction begins. Supported, when needed, by a discreet “magic finger”, the sequence passes in a big circuit through every team’s invention before coming back and triggering the lolly shooting machine, this time showering the builders with the anticipated sweets.
Alongside the Wacky Lolly Shooting Machine build, families will have a second hands-on activity and gather over tea and scones, meet the artist, talk about creativity, local objects and making. There will be a space with old type writers, where they can share their thoughts around tinkering, memory, community, machines and AI on little cards that will be pinned to a board.
The event offers presenters a generous, hands-on alternative to a sit-down theatre experience. Families do not simply arrive, watch and leave; they become active contributors to the afternoon. It is a warm, low-tech, high-participation event built around making, conversation, shared laughter, analogue invention and the pleasure of watching small actions create larger consequences.
Other details
Award winning family theatre productions, big-scale installation projects with local participants or the directing of circus shows with an indigenous cast, Jens Altheimer creates innovative and interactive work for and with communities. He is the recipient of the 2024 PAC Australia Impact Award.
Minimum open space: ideally 10m x 8m.
6 tables required, plus access to chairs for community tea / gathering activities.
Standard power access preferred.
No specialised theatre lighting, rigging, blackout or water required.
A simple afternoon tea will be included to support the community-gathering aspect of the event. This may be provided by the venue (maybe organised as a shared “bring a plate of treats” invitation to families) or supplied by the artist by prior arrangement if the presenter does not have capacity.
No warnings required.
The activity includes balloons, sudden small mechanical actions, moving objects, possible lolly distribution and hands-on construction using simple recycled materials.
Food allergies should be managed by the presenter/venue if lollies, tea, biscuits or scones are provided.
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About This Event
Presented by:Jens Altheimer
Art Form:Children's Theatre
Community Arts
Family friendly
Tour window: April, July and September
Duration: 2 x 120 mins
Suitable Venues: Community halls, libraries with large activity rooms, arts centres, school halls, neighbourhood houses, town halls and multipurpose spaces
Ages: 8+ (children under 10 should participate with an adult)
Audience: Children and families (especially curious young makers and their equally curious grown-up companions)
Experience Capacity: 40 participants per session
Fee per day: $2800 + GST (Includes 2 x 120 minute sessions)
Expanded versions of this project are possible to suit your community event or festival. We encourage you to contact us to discuss with Jens, and fees will be quoted in response.
Technical Package: Not required
To book contact the RAV Touring team at [email protected]