Families are invited to embark on an unforgettable and fun adventure with Ailie Cohen Puppet Maker’s The Secret Life of Suitcases at Arts Centre Melbourne from 12 – 13 August 2017.
Featuring quirky puppetry, The Secret Life of Suitcases follows the story of Larry, a man who works in an office and likes it very much. He likes sorting and tidying and generally putting things in order. He has everything in its place and a place for everything. One day, a suitcase with a tiny label with his name on it suddenly appears at his door. This suitcase has a mission and Larry’s world gets turned upside down.
The fantastical flying suitcase takes Larry on journey much further than he ever imaged. Audiences are invited to follow his journey as he discovers the thrill of adventure and the joy of coming home again. This funny and enchanting puppet production was originally co-produced by the Unicorn Theatre, London.
The Secret Life of Suitcases is the second collaboration between Edinburgh based puppeteer, designer, illustrator and maker Ailie Cohen and playwright and director Lewis Hetherington. The pair bonded over a love of creating theatre that uses objects, puppets and pictures to tell beautiful original stories which engage with the world we live in, and are full of heart, fun and magic.
Their work is an invitation into fantastic and colourful worlds which celebrate the extraordinary nature of the ordinary. Combining minimal, poetic text, a sumptuous handcrafted aesthetic and engaging characters their productions last long in the imagination and memories of those who see them.
Ailie Cohen has worked with the National Theatre of Scotland, Grid Iron, TAG, The Citizens and Vanishing Point. She is an associate artist of Edinburgh’s Puppet State Theatre Company, having collaborated on The Man Who Planted Trees which has toured worldwide since 2006. Lewis Hetherington is a Glasgow based playwright and theatre maker. His first collaboration with Cohen, Cloud Man is still touring internationally.
“A fantastical life-changing journey… the sheer craft and invention is a constant stream of delightfully quirky surprises.” – The Herald (Scotland)
Writers: Lewis Hetherington and Ailie Cohen Director: Lewis Hetherington Performers: Ailie Cohen and Samuel Watson Designer: Ailie Cohen Soundtrack: Niroshini Thambar Lighting: Andrew Gannon Devised with: Rick Conte
The Secret Life of Suitcases
Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Performances: 12 & 13 August 2017
Information and Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Image: Ailie Cohen and Samuel Watson in The Secret Life of Suitcases (supplied)