Whether you are a troll living under a bridge or a gypsy who wants to set down roots, the importance of having a home to go to is explored in a new musical puppet show from Canberra's own Greg Lissaman.
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European fairytale themes are beautifully used in the costumes and set designs, from little houses that softly glow with their own internal lighting to the use of an enormous troll puppet, which is operated by actor Chrissie Shaw.
Shaw, along with performer Catherine Hagarty, have brought the delightful gypsy characters to life in a heart-warming tale about two friends who have lost their caravan and need to find their way home.
The production has been written and directed by Lissaman and it is playing at The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre, until Saturday.
''The concept for Rolling Home has been growing over time and we have been working on it intermittently for a few years,'' Lissaman said yesterday.
''We wanted to tell a story that dealt with the concept of home and we were focusing on ways of telling epic stories to children.
''We realised that what children draw on for their understanding is fairytales and things that they see on television and that's why we have put a Star Wars joke in there as well.''
Shaw is delightful as both an opinionated gypsy and as a humorous troll who is hungry and wants to eat people.
She brings great life to the role with a gravelly voice and skilful use of internal levers inside the puppet which give the sense of natural and fluid movements.
She and Hagarty have developed an impressive stage rapport, with Hagarty giving an energetic performance as the gypsy who succeeds in outsmarting the troll and bargaining not only for her life, but passage though the gate the troll is guarding.
The story and acting has been enhanced by a lively musical score composed by music director John Shortis, who drew inspiration from real gypsy songs and traditions.
''Gypsy music has been the flavour of the month on the world music scene and at folk festivals, there really has been a renewal of interest in it and I think that really began a while ago - almost beginning with the Gypsy Kings,'' he said.
''The concepts for Rolling Home really began with the idea of children playing in the backyard and creating stories and how they do that.
''It has grown from there.''
Designer Hilary Talbot has used her skills as a freelance sculptor to make puppets, props and set elements to convey the spirit of the work before the actors utter their very first lines. Lissaman said the production benefited from having a ''dream team'' working on it including lighting designer Matt Cox, who has returned home to Canberra after significant stints in the Britain and Sydney.
When Rolling Home finishes on Saturday, it will travel to the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta.
