ARTICULATE 2008
Terrapin’s creative development program
   

Articulate is Terrapin’s creative development program. Terrapin supported two groups of local artists to develop new puppet theatre works for the stage in 2008. These were Arabian Night Delights & The Tale of Two Cooks and Remnants.

Arabian Night Delights & The Tale of Two Cooks
Performed and devised by Kirsty Grierson, Mel King and Melinda Mills-Hope. Designer/makers Jenna Hann and Greg Methé.

Arabian Night Delights
Arabian Night Delights is as funny and beautiful as it is ridiculous. Three mystic dancers enter the room to the sounds of the Middle East. They move through the space in a sequence of dance moves that uses every cliché in the book. It is beautiful but a bit uncomfortable for the audience to watch. The dance progresses as they weave through the crowd and a soloist emerges; sexy, sultry and self-indulgent. Her apprentices can only look on in envy as they take the role of the backup dancers to enhance her brilliance.

As the soloist ends her piece, she stretches out her veil and a puppet is revealed. Beautifully understated and humble the puppet dances for audience in an intimate table top performance. The veil marks her stage and as she dances other objects from her world are revealed. She is captivating as she moves through her dance interacting with those around her. Finally her time is up and her ride to the next destination arrives whisking her off with only a farewell kiss left to end the piece.

The Tale of Two Cooks
This ritualised performance piece can only be described as Iron Chef meets Gladiators!

The introduction starts with the format very much based on that of the Iron Chef. A very passionate compere who is in control of the proceedings takes care of all the introductions. As the two chefs competing are introduced the competition becomes clear. They are archrivals and fiercely passionate competitors. Each chef has their own habits and rituals that they feel will ensure their victory.

Let the game begin! The key ingredients are revealed and a time limit is placed. The chefs begin with the cook off. As they each get to work they eventually reveal their culinary characters. The true depth of their craft is revealed.

Their adventure begins with both chefs working together with the compere to create a living, breathing world of food. An underwater wonderland is created from anything from a banana peel squid to a pumpkin humpback whale. Suddenly a whirring whizzing noise is heard; things start to change as the sea is no longer calm and likeable but a whirlpool with no escape. In no time the underwater oasis is sucked in. A transformation takes place with another twist to complete this culinary game.

Remnants
Created, design and performed by Kate Hill and Theresa O’Connor
Composer: Craig Wood

Remnants is an exploration of one person’s journey through a flying flurry of fragmented moments.  The show uses puppet theatre as a vehicle to crumble, sift and piece together the mystery of memory. 

Do you remember the feeling in the pit of your stomach the first time you fell in love? The first time you climbed a tree? The first time you were dumped by a wave?

Pieces of a life are discovered, sifted through, rebuilt and embraced on stage in this energetic new puppet based visual theatre work. With original sound works and the manipulation of giant puzzle pieces, Remnants will take you on a multi-directional exploration of how many memories it takes to make a life.

The performances were staged at the Backspace Theatre, Theatre Royal
in November 2008.

The 2008 season of Articulate was supported by Hobart City Council.

Photos from Remnants by Nicole Jobson

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For more information about
Terrapin’s activities please
contact the office:		 77 Salamanca Place
Hobart, Tasmania
Australia, 7004		 Ph: (03) 6223 6834
Fax: (03) 6223 6399
info@terrapin.org.au


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