The world of puppetry is about to hit Perth in an unbelievable, blinding fashion as our city plays host to the world’s largest puppetry festival, UNIMA 2008. It’s an international extravaganza featuring a plethora of puppeteers from South Africa, Netherlands, France, Canada, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Japan, United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, Kenya, Puerto Rica, Indonesia and, of course, Australia. All up these amazing talents will deliver over 30 pieces of theatre, seven exhibitions, one carnival day plus an unbelievable amount of master classes, workshops, panel discussions and open spaces. Huge? Try monolithic.
Amid all of these wonderful instances of theatre are some outrageous adult only adventures, proving that marionettes aren’t only for minors. Top off the list is Cabaret Décadanse by Canada’s Soma International. This saucy production was a hit at this year’s New Mardi Gras, with an eccentric assortment of cabaret divas delivering a mix of show tunes like you’ve never seen or heard before.
‘There is nothing shocking in our show, it’s all about seduction,†said Serge Deslauriers of Soma International. ‘The show is built on surprises so don’t expect me to tell you what they are, it would ruin it for you. But I’ll say that it’s all about sensuality, which is something seldom seen in puppetry and the fact that we interact with the puppets bring on twists you’d not expect. The thing is; you have to see it to believe it so don’t be the last to see it first in Perth!’
Further a field and it’s Belgium’s turn to intrigue and excite as their La Compagnie Des Chemins De Terre deliver two full scale productions aimed to entertain audiences of all ages. First of is Moliére & The 7 Dwarfs, a mash up of postmodern proportions, with hand puppets and slapstick theatre colliding in a rollercoaster ride of riotous fun. Then they take the phrase ‘don’t play with your food’ to a whole new level with A Puppet In The Drawers.
‘Artists are door-openers,’ said Stéphane Georis from La Compagnie Des Chemins De Terre when asked about the importance of puppetry in a modern age. ‘We hold the door of an imaginary world which make you see the life another way. And every time we play, we open a door inside all of the heads (I hope). If only the people can think, coming out of the theater “So, it is possible!” then we won.’
Also worth seeing are Diva by the Sofie Krog Teater from Denmark along with local productions Red Lashes and the highly anticipated adaptation of Shaun Tan’s The Arrival by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. Altogether the true stars of UNIMA 2008 will surely be the puppets. Set at theatres across the metropolitan area, this international spectacular will prove just that – spectacular. For entire event listings visit www.unima2008.com or participate in The Million Puppets Project by visiting www.millionpuppets.com.
