Even adults will be transported into a make-believe world when megastars of the small screen, Bluey and Bandit, arrive in Wollongong, according to their puppet master.
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Jacob Williams is head puppeteer on Bluey's Big Play and said "magic" has allowed people of all ages to believe the life-size versions of the colourful Blue Heeler pups, who have been touring the country on-and-off for 18 months.
The much anticipated family stage show will visit the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre with 10 performances (including a "relaxed" performance suitable for people with autism) between December 30 until January 3.
"It takes a little while for adults to connect with their inner child and start believing," Williams said.
"But you start watching them for five or 10 minutes and you actually start believing that these puppets are breathing, are looking, are laughing, they are speaking. And that's the magic of puppetry."
He said children's natural state of learning is through play, so they "instantly go into the game believing".
Williams has been a puppeteer, a puppet maker and puppet director for decades and has previously worked on King Kong the Musical and the Walking With Dinosaurs series and knew Bluey and his friends needed to be big if they were to be believable.
Bandit is nearly six foot tall!
"Puppetry is quite a physical pursuit so you do have to be very fit, especially this show which is quite a live, full of energy show," Williams said.
The story starts when Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday arvo time out, but Bluey and Bingo have other plans and pull out all of the games and ingenuity at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag.
The show runs for 45 minutes with no interval, and is recommended for ages 3+. It does contains strobe lighting.
Bluey's Big Play is at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from December 30 until January 3, tickets through www.merrigong.com.au
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Desiree Savage
At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au
At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au
