Taking the Waters
- About the Work
- Touring & Tech
- Marketing & Engagement
Taking the Waters is a visually stunning work puppetry and performance work for adults exploring the role of caring.
Synopsis
TAKING THE WATERS follows the story of three sisters; the youngest who is dying. The two older sisters, played by actor Fiona McCleod and singer/songwriter Suzannah Espie have returned after many years apart, to care for their dying sister. In this complex world of the dying, old patterns of behaviour play out, old wounds are re-exposed and ultimately, a new reality where three become two, must be found. This work is beautifully sad, moving and sometime humorous as the absurdity of life and death is examined by the three protagonists.
This work is a beautiful multi-disciplinary experience. It’s a rare work with artists of an enormously high calibre to using performance, puppetry and song to reflect on our humanity, our stages of life and the affect that grief has on all of us. It combines live performance, sung voice, shadow puppets/techniques, bunraku puppets (small human figure puppets) and object theatre with stunning and multi-layered shadow scenes.
Short Reviews
The Age
The Age
Australian Arts Review
Video
Technical Information
Lighting
Please note:
- this show requires a black out
A touring lighting plan is currently in development. It will be:
- Approximately 36 dimmers
- Approximately 30 lights with a combination of Conventional and LED fixtures required.
- Original design utlised 8 moving lights (4 profile and 4 wash), which may be subsituted
with multple static fixtures. - 12 dimmer channels should be accessible for set electrics plus a dmx run to the set for LED set fixtures.
Touring Company to provide specialty shadow puppet lights and set electrics.
Audio
- 2 x Left and right speakers – 1st pair flown, 2nd pair behind the set
- 1 x subwoofer
- Additional mini amp and transducer (provided by touring company.)
- 6 Sends required from mixing desk.
- Playback via laptop (provided by touring company with sound hub.)
Staging
Please see diagram, photographs and notes in technical links.
Transport Notes
- Set/production by road; High Ace Van or small truck.
- Cast & crew by road; station wagon.
- Set/production cannot easily travel by plane.
Audience & Marketing Notes
TAKING THE WATERS is a multi-disciplinary work combining live music, performance, striking visual design and shadow puppetry. It is a deep dive into the role of caring in our community and the challenges and joys this role entails. It will appeal to;
– Fans of singer-song writer Suzannah Espie and visual artists Kyoko Imazu
– puppetry enthusiasts
– theatre goers
– carers in the community
– folk and country music fans
Selling Points
- A unique theatrical experience for adult audiences as the work combines puppetry and live performance in sophisticated story for adults.
- A story not often told; that of the carers in our community, despite us all having to care for someone we love at some stage.
- A beautifully visual story with layers of shadow puppetry designed by visual artist Kyoko Imazu as well as an opportunity to hear Suzannah Espie sing live.
Community Engagement
- Masterclass in puppetry
Content Warning
Details
Genre
Audience
Venue Format
Proscenium Arch, Black Box, Flat Floor. All venues must be able to be fully blacked out.
Duration
60 Minutes
Available Until (from - to)
20/12/2025
Budget & Fees
What are these? Find out more.In Development - work which will be produced and premiered in time for touring during 2022/2023. Please contact the Producer directly for Budgets and Fees.
Remount: $$15,825
Weekly Sell Off: $$10,055
Per Performance: $$2000
