European quirkologist brings inventive gadgets to regional WA
Regional Arts WA
Country Arts WA and Act-Belong Commit are excited to bring the award-winning show Loose Ends to regional WA this May and June as a part of Shows on the Go.
Join the versatile and kinetic performer Jens Altheimer in this one-man show as he leads a magical journey through a tinkering wonderland of puppetry, shadowplay and invention.
Loose Ends tells a story about friendship, loyalty and inventiveness where a man thinks he can organise his life in boxes. The result is a highly visual, emotional and unpredictable entertainment experience that will capture the hearts of children and adults alike.
Built from hard rubbish and op-shop treasures, the Loose Ends set is a celebration of the unorthodox, as household items are transformed and given new uses and contexts, offering an enchanting, fresh look at everyday objects.
Loose Ends’ regional WA tour follows a string of successful shows around the country, including performances throughout regional Queensland, country Victoria and multiple seasons at the Adelaide Fringe, where the show was nominated for Best Children’s Production.
Country Arts WA Executive Director, Paul MacPhail says the Shows on the Go program’s success is due to its community driven-model, developed to take professional productions directly to regional and remote WA – where they would not travel without support.
“Country Arts WA is proud of our Shows on the Go program which has been running for over 20 years, supporting up to 40 communities and reaching more than 5,000 people each year. The demand for Shows on the Go is increasing throughout regional WA, with more community organisations, local governments, community resource centres and venues wanting to bring high quality performing arts to their town more than ever.”
“Loose Ends was voted by regional communities as one of three Shows on the Go to tour in 2018. As part of the program, we support local presenters to build and engage their audiences and maximize the value of each visiting performance.”
The Shows on the Go program is presented by Country Arts WA and Healthway, promoting Act-Belong-Commit.
Healthway’s Chief Executive Officer Susan Hunt PSM said that the organisation has proudly supported Shows on the Go since inception and this year will provide $110,000 to deliver the Act-Belong-Commit mental health message throughout this and other programs.
“Being active, having a sense of belonging and purpose in life all contribute to happiness, good mental health and wellbeing.
“Creative and engaging shows like Loose Ends offer a fantastic way to encourage families and young people to come together and reflect on their friendships, explore their creativity and find out what it means to Act-Belong-Commit,” Ms Hunt said.
Mr. Altheimer – who took his previous show Squaring the Wheel around regional Western Australia in 2014 as a part of the Shows on the Go program – said he was thrilled at the opportunity to return with his new production.
“Regional Western Australia is one of my favourite places to perform,” he said. “I had so much fun taking Squaring the Wheel to communities all over the state and meeting many great people on the way from the Kimberley to the South West, and I’m looking forward to sharing my new creations in Loose Ends with even more communities.”
For more information on Loose Ends, head to the event page.
