Entertainment
24 May, 2026
Award-winning shows
AWARD-winning performer Adam Kelly will bring his solo shows ARCO Jnr and ARCO Snr to CPAC on 30 August for the production’s only Far North Queensland performance.
Mr Kelly, a Perth-based performer who describes himself as “an autistic gentleman”, uses humour, animation and storytelling to share his experiences living with autism through the metaphor of Finbar, a fish learning to navigate water.
“Adam thinks that asking someone what it feels like to live with autism is pretty much like asking a fish if it knows it’s in water,” organisers said.
“Which is pretty funny if you think about it.”
ARCO, which won best solo show at FUSE Festival in London, explores “the life and struggles of a young man trying to make connections with the people and world around him”.
“Along the way Adam asks gently of his audience to consider life from his perspective,” organisers said.
The production will be presented in two separate formats on the same day.
ARCO Jnr, staged at 2pm, is designed for children and families aged seven to 12 years and features animation by Perth-based neurodiverse artist Ben Hollingsworth.
“Join us as Adam and Finbar dance, draw, fly and joke their way into our hearts,” organisers said.
ARCO Snr will be presented at 7pm for mature audiences aged 15 and over, with organisers describing the two performances as “totally different experiences”.
The show offers audiences an authentic perspective on autism through Kelly’s own experiences.
“He uses humour, animation, and honest storytelling to ask audiences to see the world from his perspective,” organisers said.
ARCO Snr/Jnr by Adam Kelly and James Berlyn is produced by Performing Lines WA and presented by Cairns Performing Arts Centre.
Book at www.bit.ly/3PNg4YS
