'Bluey’s Big Play' Puppetry Director Jacob Williams: ‘No Matter Where We Take This Show, The Reaction Is Always The Same’

Across a massive, 49-date tour across Australia, Puppetry Director Jacob Williams will be charged with making Bluey come to life.

Bluey’s Big Play’s 2025/2026 Australian tour begins with a residency at Melbourne’s Arts Centre, opening on 30 December. The show presents a theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television series, produced right here in Australia. Bluey and her family will be brought to life in a live theatre experience, showcasing the beloved characters in a way that fans have never seen before.

How did Williams land the prestigious role? Well, Williams is one of Australia’s premier puppeteers and puppetry directors, as well as the Co-Artistic Director of Lemony S Puppet Theatre.

As a multi-award-winning graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts, Williams went on to develop his career at the Terrapin Puppet Theatre in Tasmania. As the Puppetry Director of Bluey’s Big Play, he’s played to well over two million people around the globe.

Previous experience for Williams includes serving as Head Puppeteer on the Tony Award-winning King Kong Live on Stage, for which he received the Outer Critics Award and the Chita Rivera Award for his work. In 2024, he premiered two new acclaimed works: Little Blue Dot and Ada, Admin and the Analytical Engine.

Williams’ film and television credits include Puppet Captain for Blueback, Puppetry Direction for Judy & Punch, and Director of Puppetry for seasons one and two of Beep And Mort.

Ahead of Bluey’s Big Play Australian tour, The Music caught up with Williams to discuss the show, the challenges of bringing the characters to life, and more.

What can audiences expect from Bluey’s Big Play?

Audiences can expect to see the whole Heeler family in life-size 3D! With a script written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and original music by Bluey composer Joff Bush. There are moments of audience participation where you get to play along with Bluey and Bingo, plus a few special guest characters to look out for.

What were some of the challenges of bringing Bluey to life on stage?

Living up to the hype for sure, but also making sure we brought the flavour of the animation into the 3D world of theatre. Children can be rather unforgiving if you don’t live up to what they are expecting. They have come to see Bluey! When we began the first Australian tour back in 2021, I sat behind two sisters, and when Bluey came skipping out at the top of the show, they squealed with delight, “Bluey’s real!!”

Did you feel any pressure, given the significance of the show?

Lots of pressure, but the best kind! As a creative team, Rose Myers (Director), Jonathon Oxlade (Designer), and myself knew that we were creating a show that had not just a national audience but an international one that was deeply cherished and loved. We worked very closely with Joe Brumm and the original team behind the animation to make sure we delivered Bluey as people know it, but in a whole new context on stage, out of the 2D and into the 3D.

Travelling around the world with this show, what have you noticed about the way Bluey connects with audiences? And why do you think Bluey is such a hit?

It amazes me that no matter where we take this show, whether it is South Africa, the Middle East or the US, the reaction is always the same. This speaks to Bluey’s universality and relatability. We all come from a family, whether we have gone on to have families of our own or not; the stories that Bluey tells are all too familiar and speak to our better selves.

What’s been the most rewarding part of the job for you?

The most rewarding part of this job has been being able to travel the world and work with young performers from different cultures, bringing them into a show and a culture that means so much. And of course, seeing how much it means to the audiences, this show will be the first piece of theatre for some kids and seeing their little brains explode with excitement never gets tired!

Bluey’s Big Play is heading across Australia from December 2025 to October 2026. You can find tickets and tour dates here.