Nathan Maynard’s new play to be performed to 18,000 Tasmanian school children on 15-week state tour

Produced in association with the Tasmanian Department of Education and Kickstart Arts, Terrapin Puppet Theatre’s new play by celebrated Palawa playwright /performer Nathan Maynard (The Season) kicks of an impressive 15-week tour of Tasmanian schools on 18 June.

Playing to over 18,000 school children, the touring production takes in all corners of the state; from Bruny Island to Flinders Island, Strahan to St Helens. With an audience representing over 40% of all primary school students in Tasmania, this year’s strong uptake from schools reflects a keen and growing interest in both local storytelling and Tasmanian Aboriginal history and contemporary culture.

Two young ‘uns, Wurangkili and Timita, meet a mysterious alien named River when he gets lost in their country on his flying canoe. With River’s pet wombat Wombie in tow, they all go on a journey to find the meaning of a mysterious object; getting clues from an Eagle, a Lizard and a Kangaroo they meet along the way.

A Not So Traditional Story is a rare, memorable and hilarious performance that combines Terrapin’s renowned skill in entertaining and engaging children with the voice of a new generation of Tasmanian Aboriginal performing artists.

Playwright and performer Nathan Maynard said: “As a proud Palawa man, I’m excited that children around Lutrawita will see this play that tells an important part of the history and showcases our living culture.”

Terrapin Puppet Theatre has enjoyed an increased national and international touring profile in recent years, this year alone touring to China and Japan, creating a new work in Jordan with the support of the Council for Australian-Arab Relations, and touring mainland Australian. The company’s annual Australian schools tour remains, however, at the heart of the company’s work. Said Terrapin’s Artistic Director Sam Routledge: “Terrapin is thrilled to work with artists from across the state in the presentation of this important and engaging play that will be enjoyed by so many Tasmanian school children.”

With funding from the Department of Education, Tony Woodward, Acting Manager, Aboriginal Education Services said: “Aboriginal Education Services is delighted with the level of response from schools. An audience of some 18,000 students will see a high-quality production that introduces a number of really important concepts about Tasmanian Aboriginal history and culture. The play is presented in a lively, humorous and up-beat way which makes it very accessible for students, but like all morality tales it has a serious message about respecting the stories and culture of our First Nations people.”

Jami Bladel from Kickstart Arts said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Terrapin, and some wonderful Pakana artists to bring this play to Tasmanian students and families.”

CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Sam Routledge
Writer: Nathan Maynard
Composer: Matthew Fargher
Set and Costume Design: Michelle Boyde
Puppet Design & Construction: Bryony Anderson & Sabrina Evans
Basket And Water Carrier Construction : Lillian Wheatley
Creation Story Character Design : Lillian Wheatley
Backdrop Design and Construction : Michelle Maynard
Performers: Craig Irons, Nathan Maynard and Denni Proctor

ABOUT TERRAPIN
Terrapin makes contemporary puppetry for young audiences, touring nationally and internationally. It creates work for theatres, and interactive installations for public spaces, telling sophisticated stories of humour and pathos and embracing new technologies inspired by the age-old craft of puppetry. The company’s work has been presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Taipei Children’s Art Festival, Festival De Betovering (The Netherlands), Belfast International Children’s Festival, Lincoln Centre (New York), Sydney Opera House and Melbourne International Arts Festival, amongst many others.

NATHAN MAYNARD – WRITER/PERFORMER
Nathan’s is a descendant of the chief of the Trawlwoolway Clan and of the whole of the North East Tasmanian Indigenous peoples. Since the 1830’s, Nathan’s family have been known as the Maynards. Nathan has 17 years’ experience as a dancer in schools and communities. In 2012 he performed in Shadow Dreams, a collaboration of Terrapin Puppet Theatre and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and in 2013 and 2014 Nathan was selected as a participant in the Tasmania Performs Artists Residency program at Tarraleah. In July 2014 he was given the honour of delivering the “Welcome to Country” for the National Conference of the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association. A new play by Nathan, written for young performers and a young audience, was performed by the Aboriginal Children’s Centre at Risdon Cove. In 2014 Nathan was awarded a Tasmanian Regional Arts grant to develop his performance skills, the Vita Brown Bequest, and an Arts Tasmania Aboriginal Arts Program grant for a year long career development program. He is also an emerging producer with Kickstart Arts. His multi award-winning play THE SEASON premiered in 2017 and is touring widely in 2018. Nathan was the recipient of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Artist of the Year Award in 2006 and 2013.

Tour details:
A Not So Traditional Story tours to Tasmanian schools in terms 2 and 3, 2018.

PLUS Terrapin at Dark Mofo
Terrapin can be seen at Dark Mofo’s upcoming Dark Park presenting The Spider and the Fly, Mary Howitt’s creepy little fable of flattery, charm and hunger…

Friday 15–Sunday 17 June, 5–10pm
Thursday 21–Saturday 23 June, 5–10pm
Dark Park, Macquarie Point

Free entry.

More details at www.terrapin.org.au

Terrapin Puppet Theatre is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts. A Not So Traditional Story has further been supported by Tasmania’s Department of Education and Kickstart Arts.
Belinda Kelly Executive Producer Terrapin Puppet Theatre 77 Salamanca Place Hobart Tasmania 7004 Australia