Branar theatre company for children is kicking off 2026 in Australia with its award-winning production of Rothar, which opened at Sydney Opera House this Wednesday. Rothar is running as part of the Sydney Festival until this Saturday, January 18.

The company which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year is delighted to bring this joyful production to the Sydney Opera House for its Australian premiere. It’s a major milestone for Branar which has been creating innovative theatre for young audiences for a quarter of a century.

The joyful and imaginative Rothar celebrates human imagination, conjuring play from the everyday and reminding audiences that anything is possible.

The show had its world premiere at the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children in 2021 and followed that with a sell-out run at Dublin Theatre Festival. Since then, Rothar has toured internationally, with performances in London, Italy (Bologna), Hungary (Budapest) and Turkey (Istanbul),

The world-renowned Sydney Opera House regularly hosts some of the world’s finest theatre companies and musical events, and Branar is thrilled to fly the flag for Galway and Ireland on this international stage.

Founded by Marc Mac Lochlainn, who is its Artistic Director, city-based Branar is known for its Irish and bilingual productions. One of this country’s leading companies making work for children, it has a reputation for imaginative, visually beautiful and emotionally engaging shows, including this one.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to present a show created in our home in Galway at the Sydney Opera House,” says Marc.

“To share this work with audiences on the other side of the world during our 25th year is a very special moment for Branar.”

Rothar is a non-verbal production that combines physical comedy with live music and expert clowning by performers Miquel Barceló and Moisés Mas García. Moisés also composed the music. Set design was by Maeve Clancy, a regular collaborator with Branar.

Originally produced in association with Drama at the University of Galway and with Baboró, Rothar was developed as part of Creative Europe’s Mapping Project, while Branar’s current tour has been supported by Culture Ireland.

Pictured: Moisés Mas García and Miquel Barceló in Rothar.