Taking the Waters by Lemony S Puppet Theatre

A woman in a blue dress sits on a stool.

Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy

Three sisters gather together after many years apart. One of them is dying.

In this complex world, old patterns of behaviour play out, old wounds are re-exposed and ultimately, a new reality where three becomes two must be found.

Created in collaboration with internationally celebrated artist Kyoko Imazu, singer-songwriter Susannah Espie and Lemony S Puppet Theatre, Taking the Waters is a visually stunning, aching and humorous examination of the absurdity of life and death.

This new work from Lemony S Puppet Theatre combines live performance, sung voice, bunraku puppets and object theatre with stunning and multi-layered shadow scenes.

Creative Team

Composer/performer & co-creator: Suzannah Espie
Performer: Fiona Macleod
Performer/puppeteer/Duck puppet maker: Tamara Rewse
Writer/director & co-creator: Sarah Kriegler
Co-creator & Little Duck puppet maker: Jacob Williams
Dramaturg & co-creator: Ben Grant
Set, costume design & Duck puppet design: Yvette Turnbull
Lighting designer: Rachel Burke
Shadow puppetry design & construction: Kyoko Imazu
Sound designer: Marco Cher-Gibard
Lighting Intern: Noah Huxtable
Production Management: Bronwyn Pringle
Producer: Erin Milne (Bureau of Works)
Promotion photography: Sarah Walker

Reviews

'Taking the Waters is a moving, resonant and beautifully crafted sow from Lemony S Puppet Theatre and a credit to the ambition and skill of this local company.' - Cameron Woodhead, The Age ★★★★

'A meditation on forgiveness and farewells, Taking the Waters is a beautiful show.' - David Collins, Arts Review

'Taking the Waters is at its most affecting in the subtleties of grieving and the journey towards letting go.' - Robert Reid, Witness Performance

'This is not a play about hope, it is a play about terminality, and that's the way it should be.' - Grant Virtue, Theatre Travels