Slanting into the Void – A Puppet Opera (Arts House, 2006) is a mythical story of humanity and love, loss and hope. A contemporary opera more like a ‘rock opera’ or David Bowie concept album, it challenges the dynamics between body and puppet, theatre and score.

Based around an antique narrative, a woman loses her daughter into the void. Unable to deal with her loss she stands by the light of a lantern, staring into the void. Millennia pass and as she forgets her past, she is transformed into the lantern—her light revealing dark and disturbing images and worlds.

Performers and puppets float within this space. Peering into the void, they search for the place of humanity and the individual within the expanding ‘void’ of contemporary life. A giant baby bobs in the mist and detritus washes up out of the emptiness. With them emerge ideas of loneliness, loss and despair.

Direction Melinda Hetzel

Composition Jethro Woodward

Text Lally Katz

Dramaturgy Luke Mullins

Lighting Design Richard Vabre

Set Design Anna Cordingley

Costume Design Marg Horwell

Featuring puppet design and performance by

Angela Orrego and Nick Barlow

Singers Caroline Lee and Adele Gregory

Co-producer Gemma Crofts

Image (above) Chambers/ Chessell

Photo (right) Paul Dunn

“Slanting Into The Void is a visually stunning excursion into a surreal world of myth and transformation.”

(The Age) Read Review

WARNING: This clip contains strong coarse language

Slanting into the Void – a puppet opera (2006) from Peepshow Inc on Vimeo.

Duration: 80min
Performers: 2
Crew: 3

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