'Billie Twinkle' coming to Australia

International acclaimed master puppeteer Ronnie Burkett and his Theatre of Marionettes, return to Sydney Opera House with his latest show, Billy Twinkle – Requiem for a Golden Boy, 1–16 October.

Prior to Sydney, he is scheduled to perform in Geelong from 25-29 August and after Sydney, he will be playing in Melbourne from 3-20 September.

Semi-biographical of Burkett’s own life, Billy Twinkle is a story of puppets and puppeteers, and of artists and their art. Throughout the show, Burkett is present as the sole puppeteer, manipulating a multitude of beautifully crafted marionettes and providing all the voices. Mixing the personal and political, Burkett’s Theatre of Marionettes continuously performs to great critical and public acclaim on Canada’s major stages and as a guest company at international theatre festivals.

Exploring the line between art and life, his offbeat wit and visual charm plumb the highs and lows of the human experience, creating an exotic stage universe of humanity and compassion.

Canadian critic, Peter Hinton talks about the production 'Billy Twinkle', Requiem for a Golden Boy, here! There is also a really interesting lecture by Ronnie Burkett discussing his career at His production of 'Tinka's New Dress' at the Puppet Centre Trust in London in 2007. You can watch it on You Tube in three parts: here, here and here!

A special discount is being offered for puppet people in Sydney. The discount is valid until 31 August for certain performances at $39, when the promo code PUPPET is used online. Click here for details!

Corporate Creatures wins Australian Award

Today Corporate Creatures was awarded ‘Best New Product of the Year’ at the Australian Business Events Expo 2009 in Sydney. This afternoon team were presented the award by Gwen O'Toole, editor of the Australian Spice Magazine. On accepting the award today, Corporate Creatures CEO, Gary Friedman. was delighted and thanked his dedicated team of puppeteers, creative staff, writers and crew, who finally would see their new product reaching the international target market which they well-deserved. For more information, go here!

Con Quest to appear at Australian Business Events Expo in Sydney

This week sees the Australian Business Events Expo at Darling Harbour in Sydney on 22 and 23 July. Renowned British presenter of Quest Business News, Con Quest, will be hosting a booth at the Expo as well as covering the event for the web. Many of the characters from Corporate Creatures will also be roving round the expo and causing controversy. So if you are planning to be in Sydney on Wednesday or Thursday, do come down to the Exhibition Centre and check them out! Corporate Creatures will be at stand F13, so come down and visit!

Giant African Puppets on Parade

UNIMA South Africa in collab- oration with Out the Box Festival will be hosting a giant puppet parade promoting the upcoming Cape Town Carnival 2010. The puppet parade will take place in the Cape Town Waterfront this Saturday from 12h00 to 14h30. This cultural event is set to bring explosions of creativity to the Mother City. For more information, you can contact UNIMA here!