This breathtaking new production from visual theatre masterminds Dead Puppet Society and physical theatre virtuosos Legs On The Wall reclaims the queer aspects of The Iliad. Set to a haunting new score performed live by Montaigne, composed with Tony Buchen and Chris Bear, this innovative new work blends heightened physicality and visual storytelling with an ensemble cast to weave a legend of mythic proportions. A tale of trials, grief and love – Holding Achilles is an epic tale about a fearless bond forged in the toughest of times.

As a young exile taken in by Achilles’ father, Patroclus faces hostility from the young hero until they are thrust together to train under the centaur Chiron, and the two form an unlikely friendship. As Achilles doggedly seeks to fulfil his mother’s prophecy to become a legend, their relationship becomes something more. But war with Troy is brewing, and the two young men find themselves caught between their hopes for a future together and the brutal realities of the world that faces them.

Holding Achilles
29 August – 10 September 2022
Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au

Join the twenty-two year old Darwin on HMS Beagle’s daring voyage to the far side of the world and discover the gripping story behind one of the most important discoveries in history.

An ensemble cast, remarkable puppetry, cinematic projections and an original score by Lior and Tony Buchen all combine to bring to life uncharted landscapes and incredible creatures in this highly ambitious theatrical event.

Nominated for a Olivier Award and 2x Helpmann Awards.

The Wider Earth
5-19 February 2022
The Princess Theatre
www.theprincesstheatre.com.au

On the resource-depleted earth of a not so distant future, a young climate refugee named Ishmael is given the chance to build a new life, provided she can survive a voyage to the outer solar system aboard the MV Pequod under the command of the obsessive Captain Ahab.

Literary epic Moby Dick reimagined as a contemporary space saga, Ishmael recasts earth’s no-longer-vast oceans with the immensity of space, and the endless possibilities and terrors it holds. Set on a futuristic version of earth which has suffered a catastrophic environmental collapse, the story follows Ishmael (Ellen Bailey), a climate refugee who has been living in a corporation sanctioned camp on the darkened surface of earth. She’s offered a chance of a new life above the clouds, but quickly discovers that this means a perilous voyage to the outer solar system aboard the MV Pequod – a mining ship under the control of the notorious Captain Ahab (Barb Lowing). Once aboard, Ishmael befriends Queequeg (Patrick Jhanur) – the only other crew member and an escaped experiment in artificially intelligent droids. Ishmael eventually falls into the groove of life on board until the crew are confronted by a ruined mining ship and with the trauma of the loss of her brother fresh in her mind, Ahab leads the crew into uncharted space on a quest to either find him alive or avenge him.

In weaving the story to life, this boundary pushing production melds live film making with live action, miniature sets, puppetry and an original score by indie pop musician Bec Sandridge to tell a captivating story about individual hope and collective redemption. The seamless interweaving of live performers, miniature models and camera technology create sweeping visuals. As with most Dead Puppet Society work, the source of the illusion is exposed but Ishmael takes this to an entirely new level – in addition to watching the story, the audience will be watching how it’s made, live in front of their eyes.

Don’t miss the world premiere season of Ishmael as part of Brisbane Festival.

Ishmael is the latest work by the internationally acclaimed Dead Puppet Society (Laser Beak Man, The Wider Earth) who now turn their trademark magic to Herman Melville’s beloved classic Moby Dick.

Ishmael
30 August – 11 September 2021
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au

Co-produced with La Boite Theatre Company and Brisbane Festival, Laser Beak Man boasts an all-star creative team helmed by Dead Puppet Society Artistic Director David Morton, Executive Producer Nicholas Paine and Sharp himself, with original music from Ball Park Music front man Sam Cromack and design by Helpmann Award winner Jonathon Oxlade.

Jam-packed with Sharp’s trademark visual puns and kaleidoscopic characters, the world of Laser Beak Man is given spectacular life by seven actors and more than 35 original puppets, including fully-functional 3D puppets and Dead Puppet Society’s trademark form-pushing animations along with drone-like flying objects.

“From the beginning, we fell in love with the world that Tim created for Laser Beak Man: its quirky sensibility, bright colours, fantastical nature and visual puns,” Dead Puppet Society Executive Producer Nicholas Paine said.

“We’re excited to highlight the intricacies of his creation alongside our own storytelling and aesthetic to make Tim’s hilarious drawings three-dimensional on stage.”

Dead Puppet Society is one of Queensland’s most celebrated exports, with countless box office knock-outs including the recent five-time Matilda Award winning and Helpmann nominated The Wider Earth, the NY Lincoln Center smash Argus and the groundbreaking The Harbinger.

Laser Beak Man is the company’s biggest undertaking to date, developed transnationally over four years including a development Off-Broadway at the New Victory Theatre; New York City’s oldest theatre in the heart of Times Square.

La Boite Artistic Director and CEO Todd MacDonald said La Boite was proud to present the production’s world premiere with Brisbane Festival.
“La Boite is thrilled to continue to produce and present extraordinary work with Brisbane Festival,” MacDonald said.

“Dead Puppet Society and Tim Sharp are world-class Brisbane artists and we know Laser Beak Man is going to blow audiences away.”

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director David Berthold described the work as “pure entertainment with an even purer heart”.

“Queensland darlings Dead Puppet Society are taking the world by storm, and this sparkling stage adaptation of Tim Sharp’s cheeky and charming superhero creation will cement their position as one of Australia’s most exciting visual theatre companies,” Berthold said.

“I’m thrilled that we can play a part in this world premiere of a work of high spirited entertainment – part puppet show, part pop concert, all heart.”

For this world premiere, four US puppeteers will travel to Brisbane to join local talents Lauren Jackson (The Wider Earth), Jeremy Neideck and Helen Stephens.

“We believe that both Tim’s personal story of living with autism and that of Laser Beak Man deserve global celebration, and we are excited to continue our transnational exchange by bringing these brilliant US and Australian artists together for Laser Beak Man’s maiden flight,” Paine said.

Laser Beak Man
La Boite’s Roundhouse Theatre
9 – 30 September 2017
www.laboite.com.au

Step into this whimsical wonderland where table tops grow grass and water bottles become the depths of the ocean.

Making use of nothing but household objects and the performers’ hands, Argus transcends from the simple to the sublime exploring the fragile attempts of this little creature to find a home in a world where he just doesn’t fit in.

Working on principles of found objects and transformation, this quietly touching piece highlights the beauty of an impossible life; one that is full of playfulness, joy and laughter.

Argus will expand the imaginations of adults and children alike.

Developed with Brisbane Powerhouse. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Funding support for this project has been provided by The Jim Henson Foundation.

Argus – Dead Puppet Society
5 May – 17 May
Bille Brown Studio, The GreenHouse
www.queenslandtheatre.com.au