puppet_cottage

The creation of The Rocks Puppet Cottage was a truly inspired and inspiring idea - a little stone
cottage, a 'heart spot', in the middle of a very busy city where kids and their families have come for
a dose of imagination and delight. The Sydney Puppet Theatre have been very grateful and proud
to have been entrusted with the artistic direction of this unique venue. We have 8 shows in
repertoire for performance at the Cottage, some created especially for this little venue.

We have been amazed and gratified to learn the extent of the attachment that the audience has
formed with the venue. Since its closure was announced we have been getting phone calls from
journalists, politicians and the public. One regular visitor instigated a petition and managed 5
pages of signatures in just one day!

There have been many visiting puppeteers performing at The Cottage and we would like to thank
them for supporting the venue and being part of the Puppet Cottage experience. These include
Basil Smith (first performer), Dennis Murphy, Ross Browning, Murray Raine, Richard Bradshaw,
Norman Hetherington, Richard Hart, Larissa Deak, Jillian Waters, Bill Jackson, Frank Oz, Greg
Howard, Gavin Sainsbury, Linda Buxton and Maz Bevan. If we have forgotten anyone - our
apologies.

Of course we are extremely disappointed that the Rocks Puppet Cottage will be closed but feel
that the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority ought to be applauded for instigating it and
sponsoring it for so long.

Sue Wallace & Steve Coupe

Sydney Puppet Theatre

Once more, the Rocks Puppet Cottage is closing. Originally opened in 1992 under the direction
of Smiff's Puppets (Basil and Janet Smith), the Sydney Puppet Theatre assumed direction until
February 1997 when it was closed. With a new CEO at the Sydney Cove Authority, the Sydney
Puppet Theatre resumed artistic direction of the Puppet Cottage in October 1998.

Now after 6 years of continuous operation, The Cottage will close again on July 18, 2004. The
Puppet Cottage was an initiative of the Sydney Cove Authority (now Sydney Harbour Foreshore
Authority) who have funded the performance fees of the puppeteers every weekend and most
school holidays.

It has been the most active family theatre venue in Australia. Families have known that on any
weekend they can come and see a puppet show. About 30,000 people a year have pulled up a
cushion and settled in for a show.

The fact that the shows are free has had an enormous impact on the success of the venue. The
audience has been able to develop a special relationship with the Cottage, coming many times,
seeing shows over and over again. It has also been a great social leveller - all socio-economic
groups can and do visit.