Strings attached
Forget Punch & Judy, these Sydney shows put the pep back into puppetry
Shaun Tan Puppet Show - The Arrival
Shaun Tan's unique and inspiring illustrations come to life in this adaptation of his award-winning kids' book, The Arrival. The Spare Parts Puppet Theatre combine exquisite digital projections of Tan's work with live performance and puppetry. Join Aki as he makes his home in Tan's fantastic metropolis.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Riverside Theatres, Crn Church & Market St, Parramatta 2150. (02 8839 3398). Thu 19 Jun & Fri 20 Jun. 10am & 12.30pm. $12.
The Happy Prince
Kim Carpenter's widely acclaimed Theatre Of Image reinvigorates Oscar Wilde's classic fairytale, The Prince And The Little Swallow, for the stage. Using myriad techniques - from rod to shadow to marionettes and striking visual illusions - puppeteers Adam Kronenberg and Beth McMahon retell this classic story about love and giving.
Kim Carpenter's Theatre Of Image, York Theatre, Seymour Theatres Centre, The University of Sydney, cnr City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale 2006. (02 9351 7940). Sat 28 Jun. 2pm & 7pm; Sat 5 Jul. 2pm & 4.30pm; Mon 7 Jul-Sat 12 Jul. 11am-2pm. Adult $29.50; child $24.50; family $99.
Who's New At The Zoo & The Kookaburra And The Golden King
The evergreen Jeral Puppets are currently playing two new shows at their Puppeteria Theatre headquarters in Randwick and Castle Cove. Ideal for two to five-year-olds, Who's New At The Zoo features stories, songs and skits about zoo animals and includes scores of puppets from the 950 strong family of Jeral characters. For older kids (ages three to nine), The Kookaburra And The Golden King unites two mythical legends - King Midas and Australia's own Bunyip - with a clever clever Kookaburra in an exciting puppet performance.
The Jeral Puppets, Puppeteria, 48A Carrington Rd, Randwick 2031 & 12H Denawen Ave, Castle Cove 2069. (02 9371 7328). Wed & Thu. 10.30am; Sun 1.45pm. Adult $14; child $10.