open trial 4:3

No. 4
May, 2010
P E
O
N
In this issue:
Editors’ Comment
Awards and Recognition
Review Snippets: Adelaide Fringe; Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Review of Shona Reppe’s Olga Volt
What’s On
News of Puppeteers, Companies
Kassius Kamel
Links
Editorsʼ Comment
We (Dream Puppets - Richard Hart and Julia Davis) have just
returned from two weeks in Daegu, South Korea, where we
performed an updated 2 person version of Dreamer in the Deep.
(The opera-singing prawn trilled her ʻShrimpʼs Lamentʻ in
Korean, too.) We had a fabulous time and will include more
about our experiences and Korean Puppetry in the next issue of
OPEN.
In the meantime our puppets have been quarantined at
Tullamarine, awaiting inspection and clearance. I believe one
method of fumigation is freezing, so we look forward to our
delivery of frozen fish and crustaceans.
This issue is devoted to the achievements of OZ puppeteers
and includes reviews and comments about What Has Been On
so far this year.
Awards and Recognition:
The 2010 Barry Award
The Barry Award, named after Barry Humphries, the first patron of the
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, recognizes the Comedy Festival’s Most
Outstanding Festival Show.
Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane is the winner of the 2010 Barry Award Melbourne
Congratulations to Sammy J and Heath McIvor (the puppeteer behind Randy)
Best Puppetry Award 2010, Adelaide Fringe.
The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer written and performed by Tim Watts
(a Weeping Spoon Production presented by Perth Theatre Company)
This show also won "outstanding solo show" - 2009 New York International Fringe Festival.
Judge’s comment: “Smooth as silk, funny & sad. Endearing. A show you just can't stop
thinking about - and neither do you want to.”
Asialink Grant
Congratulations to Jacob Boehme who was awarded an Asialink Grant for 2010. He writes:
“I've been here in Delhi now for just over 2 months with another month to go. I'm being hosted by Ishara Puppet
Theatre Trust and Dadi Pudumjee. I've been leading workshops and rehearsals with 5 members of the theatre
group (all ex street kids, now in their early/mid 20's working with the theatre for 3-5 yrs on a training/
employment initiative set up by Salaam Balak Trust and then supported by Unesco)...We are performing a
new show I have designed and directed on the 22nd for the kids of Salaam Balak Trust and then they will
be touring the show through schools in Delhi. I am also now working on hopefully finding support to create
a cultural/artistic exchange with the troupe, so that they can come to Oz and make a show.
Review Snippets
Adelaide Fringe, 2010
The Magic Waterhole (Puppet Palace Projects and Migrant Resource Centre of SA)
Take a trip to Africa. This delightful play is a refreshing break from the usual sights and sounds of
the Fringe Festival. There is something for everyone in this show, African rhythms (performed live)
and dancing, puppets, well-worn costumes (the camel is hysterically funny) and a serious message
about sustainable water resources.
Clare Peddie From: The Advertiser <http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/>
Broom Broom (Flying Heart Productions WA)
The simple story (about a lonely street cleaner)is reminiscent of the old ABC television show, The
Red and The Blue (with competitive shape-shifting characters made of plasticine) right down to the
grumbles from one and cheeky squeaks from the other.
But the long, depressing intro disturbed the children in the audience. When a bright yellow bed
sheet became the set for a cute little play within a play and a screen for some clever action with
silhouettes, everyone started to cheer up.
Clare Peddie from: The Advertiser <http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/>
Snap's Kakadu Club Lindi Jane
Delivered by the talented ventriloquist Lindi Jane and the Kakadu Club characters via stories, jokes,
singing and dancing that gets the younger set on their feet and parents clapping along.
Anne Denny from: Adelaide Now
The King's New Clothes (Billabong Theatre Australia/German)
This presentation of The King's New Clothes will delight young and old.
The puppetry is varied with such creative concepts as having the characters at times portrayed by
the performer himself, ensuring it can not be branded as just another puppet show.
Hannah Silverman from The Advertiser <http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/>
Seaside Punch & Judy Keith Preston
An hour with Professor Preston takes you back to the English beachside entertainers of the
Edwardian era. His Mr Punch is a particularly vivid and lively construction, nicely set up for his usual
gleeful, naughty tricks which stretch into a lesson in anarchy.
This latest version is made more colourful by having Preston's daughter Shivani, 10, out the front
playing keyboard and all those terrible sound effects that accompany Punch's slapping and sticking.
Tim Lloyd from: The Advertiser <http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/>
Pigs in Wigs (Pooka Puppet Company SA)
This is a charming, shambolic production. The puppets are lovingly built, full of character, and the
performers are able to entertain parents and children alike.
Tim Lloyd from: The Advertiser <http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/>
Tyrannosaurus Sex (Pooka Puppet Company and Puppetvision)
IT really shouldn't work: a show about a penis suffering from size-related insecurity, surrounded by
other penis puppets as he searches for true enlightenment.
Oh, and it's a musical. You won't escape the penis jokes, but the subtlety of the characters and their
expressions kicks off a fabulous mix of empathy, sympathy, awkwardness and, well, humour.
Russell Emmerson from: The Advertiser <http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/>
Sarkadi’s Budapest Marionettes
Skilful puppeteer Bence Sarkadi and his wonderfully hand-crafted marionettes have travelled the
world with their European-style marionette show. Here at the Puppet Palace we are treated to some
amazing little creatures. Overall a lovely piece of puppetry work.
Catherine Blanch
Rip It Up Fringe Reviews
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Sticks, Stones and Broken Bones Shadow Puppet Comedy by Jeff Achtem (Canada)
“Here's a show to tell the puppet world about. It's wonderful, very gentle and charming humour,
beautifully executed.” Philip Millar
___________________________________________
Shona Reppe Puppet Theatre's
Olga Volt the Electric Fairy
A review by Kay Yasugi (Pupperoos)
Today I went to see a show that opened with a blonde fairy wielding a
light bulb sceptre, dancing atop a magnificent satin cupcake-of-a-skirt.
This was none other than "Olga Volt the Electric Fairy", the latest
children's show by Shona Reppe Puppet Theatre at the Sydney
Opera House.
This predominantly one woman show is an innovative
blend of object theatre, shadow puppetry and storytelling.
Olga Volt tenderly (and at times very comically) recollects
the various members of her family tree, represented
through anything from a photograph to a Spanish
souvenir doll wearing a hand-knitted leotard. It was
delightful to see the fairy's giant skirt turn into a circusstyle tent, and to see many other objects being
transformed throughout the 45 minute production. With
electricity as part of the title, the show is technically
complex, with several effects involving lights and
electrical items, which enhance and illuminate a
fantastical world. Shona Reppe, the creator, designer
and performer of the show has a wonderful presence
as Olga Volt. She balances her colourful carnival-type
spectacles with moments of quiet stillness and
beautiful, atmospheric sequences. With constellations,
comets and creativity, this show is indeed a bright
'star' of aproduction.
"Olga Volt the Electric Fairy" was created by Shona
Reppe Puppet Theatre(Scotland) and co-created by
Charlot Lemoine (from Vélo Théâtre, France).
It played at the Sydney Opera House from 13-21st
April 2010.
For more information on Shona Reppe Puppet Theatre, visit
www.shonareppepuppets.co.uk
What’s On:
May - June
The Grimstones: Mortimer Revealed
Fuppet Puppet Impro Last Thursday,every month at 7.30
Lazy Susan, Cnr. Brisbane Street, Perth www.lazysusans.com.au
Northcote Kids
Children’s Theatre every month
For more information visit
curious@curiouslegends.com.au
Chevicki Crew Pretty Wings
(performing May 15)
The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek
The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek is a fantasy world created through music, classical dance
and puppetry… this gentle and touching performance will be loved by children and adults of
all ages!
School Holiday Shows:
Saturday 3 – Thursday 8 July
& Monday 12 – Thursday 15 July
10.00am & 1.00pm
Friday 9 – Saturday 10
& Friday 16 – Saturday 17 July,
1.00pm & 6.00pm
Venue: Spare Parts Puppet Theatre,
1 Short St Fremantle. WA
Cost: Adults at Child Prices, $17.50
www.sppt.asn.au or 9335 5044 ($3.00 phone
booking fee applies
Duration: Approx. 50 minutes. Suitable for everyone but perfect for ages 4 – 9.
_____________________
disquiet
Edith Cowan University’s School of Communication and the
Arts and Spare Parts Puppet Theatre present disquiet
disquiet is a musing on the darker thoughts that
occupy our nights.
Third year Contemporary Performance students from Edith Cowan
University will perform this original work, developed over the past
three months with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s Associate
Director, Michael Barlow.
Season: Thurs 13 - Sat 15 May, 7.30pm
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
Entry by donation
This performance is not recommended for children.
NEWS:
Gary Friedman Puppets - European Tour 2010
See slide show of workshops at International School in Vienna at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLyQ_BEYdiE
www.puppetrynews.com
________________________
Terrapin Puppet Theatre is currently in Shanghai creating a new
show in collaboration with the Children’s Art Theatre of China.
Entitled When the Pictures Came, the show is a cross-cultural collaboration between
Terrapin, based in Tasmania, and the Children’s Art Theatre of China, based in
Shanghai, in association with the Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham UK and Reckless
Moments. The show, which is a digital puppetry show for families, will have its world
premiere in Shanghai on June 1st, to coincide with International Children’s Day.
The show will be staged at the Malan Fower Theatre, Shanghai, from May 28 to June
1. It will be seen in Hobart and Adelaide in March/April 2011, followed by Nottingham
and other cities in the United Kingdom, other cities in China, and potentially other
European cities during Spring/Summer 2011.
When the Pictures Came was developed with financial assistance from the COME
OUT Festival and The WD Booth Charitable Trust and is supported by the Australian
Government through the Australia International Cultural Council, an initiative of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
www.terrapin.org.au <http://www.terrapin.org.au>
Kassius Kamel
(Middle Eastern Correspondent
and Refugee from Australian Camel Cull)
I have been seduced by the
delicious Phoenix Dactilifera!
You do know that there are more
than 300 types of dates in Saudi
Arabia, each having their own taste,
texture and character. Of course, I
must savour them all, although
decorum requires that I limit myself to
one a day.
Ah! the delicacies of dating...
My Updated Facebook page:
Here are some of Kassius’ friends:
ELUCI-DATE
CANDI-DATE
SPEED DATE
INTIMI-DATE
and
DILAPI-DATE BLIND DATE HOT DATE
About O.P.E.N (Oz Puppetry Email Newsletter)
O.P.E.N. is a free and voluntarily produced newsletter and is open
to all. We would welcome sponsorship. If you are interested in
being mentioned as a sponsor in the newsletter, please contact us
on dreampuppets@netspace.net.au
Please send reports of any known or suspected puppet activity by
the 25th of each month. (Profiles of puppet characters or
drawings/cartoons also welcome). Please keep photo resolutions
low. Preferably send written material in .doc form so that it can be
edited or rearranged on the page.
Publication will be during the first week of each month.
Julia Davis and Richard Hart
Dream Puppets
LINKS for more information about Australian puppetry:
www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au
www.PUPPETRYNEWS.com http://africanpuppet.blogspot.com/
www.unima.org.au
http://twitter.com/OzPuppetry
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