Jeral Puppets
Action and romance in exotic climes - no strings attached. It's all in a day's work for Sydney's leading puppet theatre company.
By Shannon Langan
Recreating a ‘magical' world in miniature since 1966, Sydney puppet gurus Jeral Puppets have been through 950 puppets and staged 75 shows. Run by partners in puppets Jackie and John Lewis, they stage their colourful fables and fairytales in "gorgeous little" puppeteria theatres in both Randwick and Castle Cove.
Roping in guest jugglers and magicians to mix things up, these hard-working string-pullers put on four different shows every week, catering to children aged two to four and three to nine. "The children identify and empathise with the characters on stage and become so engrossed and stimulated," says director/writer Jackie. "It's magic to watch an audience."
If little Tommy and his posse require VIP treatment, Jeral Puppets will even come to the party, allowing sugar-high children to interact with the characters and make their own wooden friend. *OK, there are strings.
Jeral Puppets, 48A Carrington Rd, Randwick 2031; and 12 Denawen Ave, Castle Cove 2069. (02 9371 7328 www.puppeteria.com).
Now showing: Three Billy Goats Gruff for 2-5-yr-olds on Thu 21 Aug & Tue 26 Aug, 10.30am at Castle Cove; and Wed 20 Aug, 10.30am at Randwick. Alice in Wonderland for 3-9-year-olds, on Sun 24 Aug, 1.45pm at Randwick.