ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL REVIEW: The Grimstones – Hatched
It was cold, wet and overcast in Adelaide, setting the scene for The Grimstones – Hatched: a quirky puppet performance about a girl named Martha, who can see people’s dreams and, in an effort to lighten the heart of her grieving mother, she decides to use magic to make a baby brother.
Performed in the creaking Le Cascadeur, Hatched begins with an empty stage and a back drop of black curtain. The music starts and large sized books are brought to the stage by two eccentric characters and the performance begins. Each book introduces the peculiar members of the Grimstone family, in scrawly old world writing, and opens up-to reveal a small set, in miniature detail.
Having the opportunity to look up close at these tiny worlds reveals a great attention to detail, from the tiny dressmakers prints in the mother Velvetta’s sewing studio, to the myriad of little magic potion bottles in Grandfather, Elcho’s apothecary. These careful constructions provide a window into the Grimstone’s lives and the masterful puppetry brings life to the puppet members of this tale.
The puppet family are joined by Gertrude Grimstone (Asphyxia) the great great great great grand daughter of the Grimstone’s of our storey, and her helper, August (Paula Dowse). Far from being mere background puppeteers, they engage with the puppets and the audience, as well as each other, to create a dynamic atmosphere that compliments the story and creates empathy with the characters.
Extract from Arts HubStay posted.
Joanne
www.placesandspaces.com.au
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