Rudolph’s Recruits – An Original Aussie Christmas Adventure

Based on the original script & lyrics by Tony Appleby as provided in December 2014

A festive, fun-filled incursion for primary schools

Bring the magic of Christmas to your school with Rudolph’s Recruits, a hilarious and heartwarming story where Australian animals save the day! This energetic performance combines music, puppetry, dance and audience participation to teach teamwork, problem-solving, and the value of friendship—all while celebrating our unique Aussie flora and fauna.

Kanga the kangaroo mate! He's as aussie as can be!!

Kanga the kangaroo mate! He’s as aussie as can be!!

Available Term 4

Suitable for Foundation/Prep to Grade 6

1 hour Session including interactive Q&A

Includes a special visit from Santa

Why schools love Rudolph’s Recruits

“Congratulations and thank you for presenting such a wonderful show to the boys. We all loved it…the “Aussie” interpretation was wonderful.” Brighton Grammar School, Brighton, VIC

“Fantastic show! Wonderful performers who really engaged with audience.  Christmas spirit abounds – great costuming and characters.  After-show question time was also good – encouraging thinking about how a show is actually presented.” Clemton Park PS, NSW

“The show was wonderful. The children were engaged in the presentation and were very keen to be involved.” St Monica’s PS, Moonee Ponds, VIC

About the show

Oh no!  Santa’s reindeer are sick with the flu — and Christmas deliveries across Australia are at risk!  It’s up to Rudolph to recruit a new team of sleigh-pullers.  His search leads him to our amazing native animals: Kangaroos, Koalas, Emus, Kookaburras, and more. But will the mischievous dingo spoil his plans?

This original Australian Christmas tale is packed with:

  • Music and puppetry to delight and engage
  • Humour and audience participation that keeps kids laughing
  • Costume changes and dynamic performers who move through the space to connect with every student
  • Old Christmas classics and new songs for sing-along fun
  • Valuable lessons about teamwork, problem-solving, and overcoming stereotypes

Your students will experience a memorable, immersive Christmas adventure — and learn about the amazing animals that share our Great Southern Land.

Interactive Q&A

After the show, students can join a structured Q&A that supports Critical and Creative Thinking and Inquiry Learning.  They’ll explore:

  • How sets, puppets, and costumes were made
  • How music and theatre bring stories to life
  • Problem-solving and creative thinking behind the show

“Was great how it was run by you and not just the kids asking random questions. (10/10)” – Bargara State School, Bargara QLD

Pricing

$7.50 (exc. GST) per student.

Minimum of $862.50 (exc. GST) for up to 115 students

Why choose Meerkat Productions?

With over 25 years of experience bringing stories to life in schools, Meerkat Productions blends fun, learning and curriculum connections in every show. Rudolph’s Recruits is the perfect Christmas incursion for Prep–Grade 6 students who want to sing, laugh, and learn in a festive, interactive environment.

Ready to book?

Bring the magic of Christmas to your school with Rudolph’s Recruits!
Complete the enquiry form at the top of the page, or get in touch to discuss in-school or online options for your year levels.

Australian Curriculum links for Rudolph’s Recruits

Learning Area: The Arts – Drama

F–6 Drama Content Descriptions

Exploring and responding

  • ACADRM027 (F–2): Respond to drama, expressing what they enjoy and why.
  • ACADRM031 (Years 3–4): Identify intended purposes and meaning of drama, starting with Australian drama.
  • ACADRM037 (Years 5–6): Explain how dramatic action and meaning is communicated in performances they view.

Making and performing

  • ACADRM029 (Years 3–4) / ACADRM035 (Years 5–6): Develop roles and characters using voice, movement and situation.
  • ACADRM036 (Years 5–6): Rehearse and perform devised and scripted drama that explores character, situation, and meaning.
  • ACADRM028 (F–2): Use voice, facial expression, movement and space to imagine and establish roles and situations.

Links in performance:

  • Students observe and participate in pantomime conventions (audience interaction, heroes and villains, call and response).
  • They identify how performers use voice, movement, costume, puppetry and props to create distinct characters (Rudolph, Dingo, Kookaburra, etc.).
  • The Q&A encourages reflection on how drama techniques and design elements (Uluru, Christmas decorations, puppets) establish setting, mood and theme.

Learning Area: English

Language and Literacy (F–6)

Interacting with others

  • ACELY1646 / ACELY1656 / ACELY1667 / ACELY1677 / ACELY1688 / ACELY1699: Listen to and respond to others’ ideas, make connections, and use interaction skills when participating in discussions and performances.
  • Students respond to questions, give opinions, and use language to describe what they saw and felt during the show.

Creating texts

  • ACELY1651 / ACELY1664 / ACELY1674 / ACELY1685 / ACELY1697: Create short spoken or written recounts, scripts, or reviews about the show, using vocabulary to describe characters, events and humour.

Language variation and vocabulary

  • Recognise how language use reflects cultural expressions (e.g. Aussie slang, pantomime conventions, Santa’s North Pole vs. Australian setting).

Learning Area: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

Knowledge and Understanding – Geography

  • ACHASSK031 / ACHASSK047 / ACHASSK067: Identify Australia’s states, territories, and significant natural landmarks (e.g. Uluru, “The Red Centre”).
  • ACHASSK016: Recognise places that are special to people and why they are important.
  • The Q&A discussion about Uluru and the Australian landscape connects to learning about country, environment, and national identity.

Learning Area: Personal and Social Capability (General Capability)

  • Identify and express emotions (empathy for characters like Rudolph and the Dingo).
  • Recognise fair play and fairness (“everybody deserves a fair go” theme).
  • Develop teamwork, listening and cooperation through audience participation and discussion.

Learning Area: Intercultural Understanding (General Capability)

  • Explore how stories and celebrations differ across cultures (Christmas in Australia vs. the North Pole).
  • Recognise diversity in Australian animals and the concept of a uniquely Aussie Christmas story.

Learning Area: Critical and Creative Thinking (General Capability)

  • Reflect on how problems are solved creatively in the narrative (Rudolph recruiting Australian animals).
  • Think imaginatively about transformation, characterisation, and performance choices.