New Schools Puppetry Programme in Australia

A new Puppetry Partnership Programme was launched this month in three Sydney schools. This short film provides images taken during the first week of the eleven week puppetry programme taking place in February and March 2010. The partnership between Gary Friedman Productions and the North Sydney Demonstration School, in collaboration with the University of Sydney Education Faculty is designed to expose the students and their teachers to the language of metaphor and symbolism. It is aimed at enriching their creative expression and literacy outcomes. The programme will culminate in a mini-school's puppet festival and evaluation of the work.

We have still some openings for workshops in Europe during our 2010 International Workshop Tour from April to June. If you are interested in this work, please contact us. Enjoy the film clip!

Barking Spider launches new show

Opening in Melbourne, Australia tomorrow is a brand new production by Barking Spider.

“Dispatch” is about a puppet character 'Sorrel' a little girl who has died and is unable to realise it.
“Dispatch” is ethereal and timeless in feel. A single narrative line is peppered with weaving mini-narratives that are born of each suitcase as Sorrel discovers them. “Dispatch” runs for approximately one hour and is suitable for teen and adult audiences.

This contemporary and ethereal puppet theatre work, written and directed by Penelope Bartlau, is performed by Bartlau and Justine Warner. The production runs from tomorrow, Tuesday to Sunday 7 February at 8pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 4pm.
The Venue: 45 Downstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Bookings: (03) 9662 9966 or www.fortyfivedownstairs.com.au