July 2005

Shh

Sydney Opera House The Studio

We received an invitation from the Studio’s producers at the Sydney Opera House to be part of the Studio’s ‘Scratch Night’, which is a program that supports young artists. The producer’s committee was interested in the experimental nature of the project and helped to conduct the research with the audience after the show.

The show became consciously about the body and the soul disintegrating into separate units. Each unit tried to function on its own, but failed and was hunted down by Pocketman who turned them into two new beings (puppets): Kylie and Liza (male version of Kylie).

IShadow boxes depicting silhouettes of little children opened the show. When the lights dimmed, the children changed into disembodied hands, arms, legs and heads showcasing the main themes of the show. Music in this piece was treated a lot more like an opera. With musical themes for the central ideas.

The process for this show differed greatly. The original team was not available, so new members were recruited from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). The number of performers rose from three to seven. The number of puppet makers tripled and the number of musicians collaborating resulted into orchestral recordings.

The audience anticipation for this show was great and tickets sold out early. The lucky people who did get to see it were very pleased. The audience responses we received really helped us to understand what scenes and moments stood out.

Concepts by Mischa Baka and Michal Imielski
Directed by Michal Imielski and Mischa Baka
Original music by Michal Imielski

CAST/CREW
Meg Ashforth – puppet constructor
Mischa Baka – puppet maker
Asaf Carmeli – puppeteer/puppet constructor
Philip Curach – puppet creator/puppeteer
Agata Imielska – puppet creator
Michal Imielski – puppeteer/actor
Kelly Jong – constume
Ana Roman – puppet construction/puppeteer
Erica Schwarz – costume
Kate Sherman - puppeteer
Pat Toh Yiling – puppeteer
Claire VanderBoom – Actor/puppeteer
Turoa Walsmley – puppet maker

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Peter Baka
Lisa Bracken
Carly Dawson 
Kylie Robertson
Turoa Walmsley
NIDA
Macquarie University
Sydney Opera House

SUPPORTED BY
Macquarie University

AUDIENCE RESPONSES
It’s good to see some unusual and original theatre in Sydney. Keep it up! And I hope you continue to get funding from my tax! Nice Work!

I liked the illusion and other worldy aspect (the complete differnce/separatness from reality). It made me smile

I enjyed the travelling and picking up the pieces of life.

Was dark with uplifitng bitf of comedy. Was definitely different and interesting. I enjoyed it