HOLDEN & ARTS ASSOCIATES
SHARING STORIES AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS SINCE 1983
THE PAPER ESCAPER
By Terrapin Puppet Theatre from Tasmania, Australia
Resources
About the Company
What happens when a book character won’t stay in their place?
At first, the world of The Paper Escaper exists only in white, blacks, and greys. But then, the Illustrator reveals a vividly colored pop-up book and Benny, the book’s the newest character. Benny, our plucky puppet protagonist, is eager to explore the world beyond their page. But when the Illustrator keeps trying to make Benny stay put, Benny will need the help of a surprising new friend to evade the Illustrator’s traps of glue and tape. As the zany game of cat-and-mouse escalates, a wily fire threatens to break out of control and consume the whole workroom. Benny can’t fight it all on their own – what will they do?
This nonverbal work uses striking visuals and brilliant puppetry, as well as dynamic original music with a sweeping score and cartoon-like sound effects, to tell a story of determination, friendship and the power of following your own path.
Terrapin toured The Paper Escaper in 2022, bringing its vibrant characters to over 100 Tasmanian primary schools. This will be the production's first North American tour.
Best for Grades K-3rd
Best for Small to Medium Venues (up to 500 max)
Highlights trailer
Please contact us to watch a full length recording.
"The Fire Dance" excerpt
Please contact us to watch a full length recording.
Curriculum Connections
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Fine Arts: Performance, Physical Theatre and Puppetry, Set Design, Music & Composition
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Emotional/Social Development: Self Awareness, Self Management, Identifying Emotions, Empathy, Courage, Respect for Others, Perspective-Taking, Relationship Skills, Social Engagement, Relationship-building, Teamwork, Ethical Responsibility
Additional educational resources can be found here.
The company can also offer additional Pre-show or Post-show Workshops, if discussed in advance. Examples of past outreach includes: puppet making workshops, foyer installations, shadow puppetry workshops and post-show Q&As.
Sensory Friendly Performances
THE PAPER ESCAPER is available as a “sensory friendly” or “relaxed” performance if arranged with the company in advance and with specific direction as to what adjustments are necessary for your venue.
Outreach and Workshops
Minium Technical Requirements
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Load In Time: 4 hours (with prehang)
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Show Call: 1 hour
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Crew Needs: For Load in - 1 TD, 2 lighting tech, 1 sound tech and 1 stage crew; Show Call – 1 TD or general tech; Load out: 1 TD, 1 lighting, and 1 sound tech.
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Min. Stage Size: 26.5 ft width x 19.5 depth x 16.5 height. Cross-over needed behind upstage masking.
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Load Out Time: 3 hours
Staging: this show has been designed to be viewed front-on and is not suitable for in the round or thrust stages.
Artistic Team
Writer: Gita Bezard
Director: Sam Routledge
Assistant Director: Davina Wright
Set & Costume Design: Charlotte Lane
Puppet Design & Construction: Bryony Anderson
Sound Design: Jacky Collyer
Additional Puppet Construction: Greta Jean
Scenic Painting: Edith Perrenot, Freya Piscioneri-Young
Set Construction: Andrew Macdonald, Karl Sanger, Phil Wren
Costume Making: Roz Wren
Performers: Noah Casey, Greta Jean, Scout McDonald
Stage Manager: Ellen Roe
Audience & Critical Acclaim
“Tasmania’s Terrapin Puppet Theatre makes theatre quite unlike any other company.” - Daily Review
‘Absolutely fantastic. So professional, with great organisation and clarity in story and performance.’ - Teacher, 2022 school tour
‘Once again, it was a brilliant Terrapin performance. I (and the kids) never tire of the shows Terrapin puts on.’ - Teacher, 2022 school tour
‘We loved that there was no dialogue so we had to really tune in to non-verbal communication to interpret the story.’ - Teacher, 2022 school tour
‘Fantastic, engaging show :) my whole class was really engaged.’ - Teacher, 2022 school tour
About the Company
Past tours include: You, Me and the Space Between, Infinite Monster, Red Racing Hood, I Think I Can, and Boats
Terrapin creates contemporary puppetry experiences for audiences of all ages, touring Tasmania, nationally and internationally. It creates work for theatres and interactive installations for public space. The companies work has been presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Edinburgh International Children’s festival, The Vancouver International Children’s Festival, De Betovering Festival (The Netherlands), A.S.K Shanghai, Aichi Arts Centre (Japan), The Taipei Children's Art Festival, The Lincoln Center (New York), The John F. Kennedy Center, The Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival and Mona Foma among many others.
For more information, please visit the company’s website here.
Past Projects
