PUPPETRY BRINGS ELECTRIFYING SKETCHES TO LIFE
ON paper, a super hero that shoots lasers from its beak looks fantastical. As a puppet show, it is even better.
Laser Beak Man is a children’s production coming to Home of the Arts at Bundall on January 16-18. It is based on the artwork of autistic Brisbane artist Tim Sharp. The show was created in collaboration with American-Australian company Dead Puppet Society, which turned Mr
Sharp’s two-dimensional sketches into a fully-fledged theatre experience.
Dead Puppet Society executive producer Nicholas Paine said the electrifying colours and themes in the illustrations made it easy to showcase as a puppet show.
“We had a real vision for what it would be like to turn his 2D artworks into 3D, as if you’re seeing his artworks come to life,” Mr Paine said.
“We always say puppetry is a great form for allowing characters to do things human actors couldn’t do.
“We have a huge LED screen with Tim’s artwork behind, and we treat puppetry as a partner to film.
“It’s a spectacle, it’s a rock concert, puppet show, theatre work. It’s a visual art exhibition.”
The play follows protagonist Laser Beak Man, a superhero who turns bad things good with his lasershooting beak. When old friends Peter Bartman and Evil Emily steal Laser Beak Man’s secret power source magna crystals, he must think of a new way to save his hometown Power City from destruction.
Director David Morton said the clever comedy throughout the show would appeal to older audiences, while the adventure storyline and no dialogue makes it easy for children to follow.
Laser Beak Man will be staged as part of school holiday program Kids Take Over. Tickets $22.50; recommended for children aged eight-plus.