Curious Legends’ Taylor’s Run is a performance full of giant illuminated puppets and wall projections—a captivating and playful journey that explores the meaning of waste and how society can work towards a greener future.
Taylor’s Run is a heartening journey about a young girl searching for her beloved pygmy possum puppet after it’s thrown away at the garbage dump.
This production was a part of the City of Newcastle’s New Annual festival, which ran from February 12 to 21, highlighting the cities’ creative hub and giving local and visiting artists centre stage.
Taylor’s Run was held in the Summerhill Waste Management Facility at Wallsend; a venue that is a stark comparison to a theatre or any other conventional stage.
Curious Legends CEO Mitchell Reese said in an interview with New Annual organisers that the company was familiar with working in unusual spaces and places.
“It’s quite rare to see our work in a theatre,” Reese said.
“Generally, we’re most comfortable performing on the street, outdoors, and inhabiting spaces, you wouldn’t expect to see theatre performances in.
“We realised that Summerhill was an amazing space, and it’d be a lot of fun to work out there.”
Child actors also played some significant characters in the performance, including the main character Taylor.
Taylor searches the tip for her beloved childhood toy and comes across some native animals and ‘trash goons’ along the way.
A rotten apple core and a cheeky soda-can try to hinder her rescue mission, as well as a trash monster who thrives off society’s unwanted waste.
An intriguing part of the performance was a giant illuminated moving puppet with long seaweed-like hair; she seemed to represent mother nature and was accommodated by a rain soundscape.
It became a goosebump moment full of calmness and serenity as she glided among the audience.
The New Annual festival has now come to a close after ten days of events and attracting 30,000 people to more than 50 events across the city.
Reese said the New Annual festival had been a saviour for the company, especially after the impacts of Covid-19.
“Being part of New Annual has been hugely beneficial for our company, and in many ways, a lifeline during the pandemic,” Reese said.
“When Covid-19 hit, 90 per cent of our work disappeared overnight.
“Being a part of the festival not only meant work for our artists—many of which were struggling with the economic effects of Covid-19, but also a highly visible platform for our work to be showcased.
“Based on the vote of confidence City of Newcastle has shown in our work, we were able to leverage this project for additional funding through the Australian Government’s RISE fund, allowing us to reinvent the show for national and international touring in 2022 and 2023.”
New Annual proved popular with industry figures showing a 13 per cent rise in accommodation bookings and 37 per cent jump in revenue during the first Friday and Saturday night.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the festival involved more than 500 artists and 250 staff, crew, and volunteers creating a substantial economic boost to the local arts sector and community.
“New Annual marks a significant milestone in Newcastle’s growth and identity, demonstrating the City of Newcastle’s commitment to the arts and ability to deliver large-scale, multi-event festivals,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our vision was to create a landmark cultural festival with a uniquely Newcastle character that could become a mainstay on Australia’s annual events calendar.”
New Annual will be back later in the year from September 24 to October 3, with Curious Legends being one of the art companies to return.
Hayley McMahon
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