Darebin Arts' Speakeasy and Black Honey to Present MC PLATYPUS & QUEEN KOALA'S HIP HOP JAMBOREE, April 1-14

MC Platypus and Queen Koala's Hip Hop Jamboree sees multi-talented 'Candy B' Bowers return to the stage with her sister Kim 'Busty Beatz' Bowers in an interactive musical comedy for kids aged 5-12 as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2013.

MC Platypus has a serious lisp and was bullied at Creek School for wanting to be a rapper. Nesting between tongue twisters and lyrical jokes are poignant themes of resilience, friendship, and self-love. Featuring dynamic choreography, hilarious sketches and Candy B's distinctive hip hop clownery, MC Platypus and Queen Koala's Hip Hop Jamboree takes the audience on a feel-good musical journey that promotes tolerance, understanding and, of course, dancing!

With the help of DJ Queen Koala (Busty Beatz), children are encouraged to take part in the show by singing, body-popping, beatboxing and playing instruments in the human hip hop 'air' orchestra. Musical highlights include tracks 'You Can Do It!', 'Bully Boys and Girls' and the classic dance-fad 'Platypus Swag'.

Candy B is an award winning writer, hip hop artist, theatre-maker and social activist. She graduated from NIDA's acting stream in 2001 and went on to create cult hip-hop comedy act Sista She. Throughout her career, Candy B has collaborated with Bell Shakespeare Company, Belvoir St Theatre, Queensland Theatre Company and Sydney Opera House to create works that embolden the stories of Australians from culturally diverse backgrounds. Her smash hit Australian Booty toured nationally in 2012 to widespread critical acclaim, from Darwin Festival to Campbelltown Arts Centre; Melbourne International Comedy Festival to Brisbane Powerhouse.

Sound designer, composer and hip hop artist Busty Beatz is best known for her musical direction of UK hip hop pioneer Jonzi D's East London West Sydney for Sydney Festival, Rat Trap by Polytoxic (QLD Theatre Company; CoCA Cairns) and the multi award-winning boylesque work Briefs (Sydney Opera House; Brisbane Powerhouse; Edinburgh Fringe; Sydney Festival; Southbank Centre London).

Candy B and Busty Beatz first brought MC Platypus and Queen Koala to the stage in 2010 after being invited to perform in Brisbane City Council's annual Christmas concert. They were subsequently commissioned by Artslink QLD to create an hour-long performance for touring in 2012. Together they performed to about 20,000 children over 14 weeks in schools across Queensland.

Presented by Darebin Arts' Speakeasy, performances will play Northcote Town Hall, 189 High Street Northcote, April 1- 14 (every day) at 12:30pm. Tickets are $15. Bookings: www.darebinarts.com.au/tickets/.