On Our Beach // Fourth Wall Media
Review by Laura Money
“The charm of the work lies in the detail and feeling evoked by simple, yet clever techniques.”
Are you ready to go to the beach this school holidays? Spare Parts Puppet Theatre welcome you to a fun new interactive show – On Our Beach and prove that they are the peak of children’s entertainment in Perth. So, slip on your thongs, slop off your worries and slap on a smile because you’re invited to the best beach party in Perth!
On Our Beach takes children and the young at heart on an interactive journey to the beach – but it’s unlike any beach you’ve ever been to before! Your journey begins with the security check-ins where you draw your own passport pictures and are scanned to see how nice you are! After that it’s a few happy snaps and some pre-beach activities until it’s time to kick off your shoes and head to the shore. There are plenty of fun feelings between your toes, so make sure you take off your socks as well!
Once you spread your towel and relax, the Spare Parts crew gently guide you into their world. It’s relaxing – there are velvet cushions and soothing acoustic guitar – light play and stunning silken puppets, flowing above a mesmerised crowd. The charm of the work lies in the detail and feeling evoked by simple, yet clever techniques. There’s not a creepy marionette in sight – instead brilliantly designed and choreographed pieces that all relate to one aspect of the Aussie beach or another. From underwater marvels to barbecues and flies, from cheeky dogs to playing catch, and swimming within the flags, it embodies the quintessential beach experience.
All of the puppeteers are enthusiastic and friendly – they really know how to get a diverse age range of children to interact and pay attention. There are activities and dances for the children to do – love a bit of human volleyball – and many surprises too. The sense of humour and fun that exudes from the puppeteers know no bounds and children delight in getting involved in an experience that is at once familiar and slightly twisted up but one thing is for sure – it’s all fun. So, head on down to the beach and dip more than your toe into the water – you’ll play, dance, create, and even get serenaded by the swimming sirens of the sea!
On Our Beach // World Premiere
DATE: Sept 28 – Oct 12 | 10am & 1pm daily (except Sundays) plus special 6:30pm sessions on Friday 4 & 11 October
BOOK TICKETS online or call 9335 5044