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The Gatekeeper is Terrapin’s new digital puppetry show . The Gatekeeper is a comic tale about those that stand at the gate and those that want to get through. We all face this dilemma at some point in our life, no matter how big or small we are; someone has a thing we want and makes us work to get it.

The Gatekeeper plays with these ideas in a comically told story about two characters that find themselves trying to get past each other. What should be a straightforward everyday event unravels into a world of ridiculous situations, involving slapstick, clowning, puppets, magic and acrobatics. The audience will be transfixed as the set transforms in front of them, changing shapes and morphing with animation projections, merging real puppets and objects with moving images, using Terrapin’s innovative digital puppetry techniques.

Taking inspiration from the many stories, myths and legends which have gatekeepers, Terrapin’s new show will deal with some profound and simple truths about human relations…in a very funny and innovative way.

Following on from the captivating storytelling of Terrapin’s 2008 show Boats, where everyday objects magically transformed into puppets, and the innovative use of animations, television and puppets in 2009’s The Falling Room and the Flying Room, The Gatekeeper will take the audience for a genuine theatrical ride.

Terrapin recently performed in Shanghai, the Arts Centre Melbourne, and will perform in the Sydney Opera House in 2010. The Gatekeeper will give children a unique experience of new and innovative techniques in theatre but with a strong and meaningful story that has its feet firmly planted in the age-old craft of puppetry and theatre’s rich traditions.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Frank Newman
Production Design: Hanna Pärssinen
Performed by Sam McMahon and Jeff Michel

School Performances:

Suits: Grades K-6

Tasmanian Curriculum Links: The Arts (drama and music), Health and Wellbeing (movement and physical activity), Information and Communication Technologies (using contemporary technology to tell the story) and English-literacy (text and storytelling).

Venue: Your school hall, multipurpose room or other suitable venue.

Cost: $520 per performance (ideally up to 150 students), with a 10% discount if paid in full prior to the performance.  Further discounts are offered for extra performances to accommodate larger student numbers.

Bookings: Terrapin 03 6223 6834 or email info@terrapin.org.au

The Tasmanian school tour is supported by Aurora Energy. The public performances are presented in association with the Theatre Royal.

For fun games and activities for Kids with Sparky, Aurora’s Electrical Safety Officer, click here