Wayang Kulit – Bali

Recently Rachel & Adam visited Bali and were able to visit various mask & dance ceremonies with the Barong body puppet , and a Wayang Kulit shadow puppet performance. The Dalang puppet master Made Gender is a native Ubudian who performs almost every night at the Ubud Palace since 1989, aswell as performing for religous ceremonies. Wayang is a required element of Balinese religous ceremonies. it used to be performed only within a sacred context, and the Dalang in his role as the instigator of activity, conflict and conclusion is considered to be an embodiement of the Hindu God , Shiva.The story of Rwa Bineda was told with comedy, romance and an epic battle – the manipulation was amazing, especially the magical arrow shooting by! and a tale of black magic : Calonarang symbolises evil forces and is opposed by Barong, the manifestation of good magic, and the most familiar icon of Balinese culture.

Penny Francis writes in her book ‘Puppetry- A Reader in Theatre Practice’

‘Puppetry can be directly traced to the atavistic, universal belief in the spirit life hidden within and embodied by natural phenomena, things and materials. This belief forms the core of the animist religion and is intrinsic to the understanding of the puppet’s origins. ‘

Here are some highlights from the Barong Dance -

Forest Workshop Feedback -Malibu School

‘The students loved the singing and music. The level of interaction, music, sensory items was brilliant. The staff were impressed and a great intro to Jub Jub’

‘Fantastic! love the different tools used to involve the students and meet their differing sensory needs. A very relaxing environment.What a wonderful experience, was not sure if there would be some sensory overload within the forest, was so happy the students all reacted positively and had a wonderful time’

‘The students loved it and responded well to all tactile experiences.’

‘I believe this sensory experience for the children was excellent and is just the kind of interaction they need at school. The students were all very fascinated and excited by the experience. It was great to see them so involved and keen.’

 

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FROG PRINCE

A great day was had recently as I travelled down to Southampton to perform FROG PRINCE at the lovely studio at The Nuffield Theatre.

It was a gorgeous day and although it was tempting to play outside,  lots of children and adults took the opportunity to come into the studio and enjoy the show.

Plenty of cheering for QUEENIE as she entered the space and thanked the audience for welcoming her “home” from her holidays.  As the story unfolds and Queenie transforms from royalty to frog then frog to witch, the children laughed then squeeled because it was just a little bit scary.

Below are two lovely pictures of Queenie (pink) and Queenie the Frog in green drawn by Paul, together with some lovely comments by the children:

LIZ FITZGERALD-TAYLOR

 

“I liked the bit where she opened the box, it was brilliant. Thank you from Sam”

“I liked the frog getting the golden ball from Ellen”

“An excellent performance” Jill Martin

“Isabelle liked the witch.”

 ”I loved it! I liked the flood and the cat.” Toby Smith aged 4

 

 

Wayang Kulit inspired shadow puppets at John Curtin college of Arts, W.A

Rachel writes ‘I have been teaching shadow & rod puppet making & performing at John Curtin school of arts with year 9 gifted & talented drama students the past few weeks,  inspired by the rich Indonesian traditional heritage of Wayang Kulit & Wayang Golek. It was amazing what the talented students produced in  the short sessions we had together, they researched the traditional characters and their individual traits and meanings .  Im looking forward to the puppets being worked into stories from the Mahabharata later this year.’

Thanks to Julia Perkins – drama teacher

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Atishoo! family feedback & participation

Anne Marie plays tissue games with the children in the audience

After the Atishoo! shows at Perth International Arts Festival, the children had chance to play with all the colours of the rainbow tissue paper in the foyer, and make whatever they could imagine, or float the paper in the air. Many flew tissue butterflies or birds out of the Subiaco Arts Centre to their new homes.

Anne Marie plays tissue games with the children in the audience

Feedback from parents included -

“very wonderful”, “brilliant”, “beautiful imagery”,

“a resourceful and energetic production… absorbing”,

children’s comments: “I wanted the dream to be real” “I loved the end and getting my tissue” Lucy 4 years old,

“excellent show for the age group”, “good length for kids”,

“he loved his first show”, “brilliant concept”

“I really like everything and it was awesome” “kids and nanna and myself thoroughly enjoyed” “Great show!”

“Simple but effective, fun for all the family” “a lovely show. Very age appropriate. ”

“wonderful” “Terrific – thank you for children and adults equally. Ann-Marie and Adam were just captivating” “Excellent, even adults can lose themselves for an hour in a child’s world. Good to see the workings on stage too.”

“It was really great, great show!” “The 9 month old was just as entranced as the 3 ½ year old! Thank you for the magic” “Our school came yesterday and loved it so we came today. Loved it.”

Thanks to PIAF for a wonderful time! and our DNA creative  – performer Ann Marie, Haviel Perdanan for the music, Aaron for lighting design  & Tom at Subiaco Arts Centre.

Atishoo! – the reviews

We ‘ve had a couple of brilliant reviews for Atishoo! at the Perth International Arts Festival.

The first to be published was by David Zampatti in his theatre blog ‘From the Turnstiles’

“…a room full of kids were entranced. Some of them were overcome with fascination and stood up or scampered down to the front for a better view; the questions to mums and dads flew thick and fast. And all the time, you could almost hear those young minds ticking over, faster and faster.By popular acclamation, Les Studios de Cirque’s Place des Anges has been the big highlight of the festival. Allow me to nominate the superb Atishoo as it’s little one.”

The second came out in Perth’s only newspaper ‘The West Australian’

There is ingenuity in each unfolding moment that showcases the skill of puppeteer Adam Bennett and the creativity of director/designer Rachel Riggs.

Atishoo!at Perth International Arts Festival, Western Australia

Rachel writes ‘Its been a wonderful two weeks restaging Atishoo! with our new performer Anne- Marie Biagioni. Shes amazingly professional for her age and really enjoying playing to a family audience. Weve had time to bring out the best in the work, and with lighting designerAaron Stirk, made the worlds of colour even more magical on the childs journey through their illness. Perth International Arts  Festival has amazing artists from allover the world performing, and their support team has been very much appreciated. Audience feedback coming soon!