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Puppeteers, from left Mita and Vai Puni Tupaea
A 5m-long taniwha called Haututu that glows in the dark is just one of a whole constellation of giant, glow-in-the-dark puppets to feature in an upcoming show at Orewa’s Centrestage Theatre.
The show has grown from the fluorescent puppets first introduced to the Hibiscus Coast at last year’s Festival of Puppetry at Estuary Arts Centre.
The puppets are made by Little Green Man Productions, which has since developed them into Heaven and Earth – a full UV show about the legends of Matariki.
They are controlled by four ‘invisible’ puppeteers, using hand rods, who work on a stage that has been turned into a blacked out box.
Producer Sarah Burren says this is the first fully glow in the dark show. The puppets are all large scale and the 40-minute long show is tailored to young people, while appealing to a wide audience.
The puppeteers are all from South Auckland and music has been written and produced specially for Heaven and Earth. Some of the dialogue is in Maori.
Afterwards, the audience can come and meet the puppeteers and there is a question and answer session.
The show, which is touring other Auckland and Northland centres, is a celebration of Matariki. The Orewa performances are also a fundraiser for Estuary Arts Centre, which is raising money for a new potters’ wheel. A small amount from each ticket sold goes to the arts centre.
There will be 10 shows at Centrestage, from June 18–22 (11am and 1pm each day). Tickets are available now and cost $7.50. They can be obtained from Estuary Arts Centre, Western Reserve, Orewa, phone 426 5570.
Ticket giveaway
Next month, an innovative live family show, featuring large scale, glow in the dark puppets will be presented at Centrestage Theatre in Orewa.
Hibiscus Matters has a double pass to Heaven and Earth to give away. To go in the draw, message us on Facebook, or write your name, address and daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and post to Heaven and Earth, Hibiscus Matters, Unit G, Tamariki Plaza, Tamariki Ave, Orewa 0931. Entries close Friday, June 1.
