Visual theatre makers ERTH use their extraordinary puppets and inflatables to bring the mythical indigenous creatures and the world of Patricia Wrightson's timeless novel to life. Verity Laughton's adaptation is co-directed by Wesley Enoch and Scott Wright, and will feature leading actors Bruce Spence and Annie Byron.

The Nargun and the Stars has been commissioned by Sydney Festival and Perth International Arts Festival and will premiere at Sydney Festival 2009.

The story follows a central character, Simon, a boy orphaned and relocated to distant cousins' bush farm, a lonely place that hides ancient secrets. Simon discovers and interacts with the mythical indigenous creatures inhabiting the landscape - the trickster Potkoorok, the Turongs who wreak havoc with the road workers' machines and the cave-dwelling Nyols rustling and whispering in the rocks.

This haven is disrupted by the arrival of the Nargun, an ancient creature from the beginning of time, a huge and dangerous rock form that moves only when no-one is looking. Disturbed by the threat of development in the valley, it becomes angry and threatens the destruction of the farm and the mythical creatures that inhabit the land. Simon finds himself in a life and death struggle with a power out of the depths of time.

A story of adventure and discovery for young people - enjoyed by two generations of children - it also delivers a vital message, through the eyes of a child, of acceptance and respect for indigenous values, beliefs and culture, and an unquestionable connection to the land and its folklore. The adaptation is informed by ERTH's on-going consultation with the owners of the original Nargun story, the Kurnai and Boon Wurrung communities of East Gippsland.

Its development has been assisted by the Australian Government's Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival, and Perth International Arts Festival; by the NSW Government through Arts NSW, and by CarriageWorks.

ERTH
ERTH originated in Ballarat, Australia in 1990. Following their 1994 Sydney Festival debut, ERTH moved to Sydney and are now recognised as leading innovators of physical and visual theatre. ERTH's work combines a truly fantastic visual aesthetic with performance, using giant puppets, stilts, pyrotechnics, inflatables, abseiling and aerial rigging equipment to create acclaimed productions such as: Incubator, Gargoyles, Waterheads, Caution, Bushfire, Balconies and Garden. Their work spans a variety of forms and contexts, including large scale site specific theatre, street style roving incursions, and indoor productions for both mainstage venues and alternative/contemporary spaces.

ERTH have toured to all of Australia's major festivals and have already performed up to 3-4 times at some of them. International festivals have included Rotorua Arts Festival, Hong Kong Fringe, Galway Arts Festival - Ireland, Stockton International Festival - UK, Singapore International Arts Festival, Seong nam Childrens Festival - South Korea and the Festival of Arts and Ideas - USA.

A core team of five artists and managers including founders Scott Wright, Steve Howarth and Sharon Kerr, ERTH work with a group of more than thirty freelancers from the fine arts, circus, costume, design, performance and physical and aerial theatre backgrounds. ERTH are currently in residence at the newly opened CarriageWorks contemporary performing arts centre in Sydney.

Contact:

Harley Stumm
Performing Lines
5/245 Chalmers St
Redfern NSW 2016
Tel +61 2 9319 0066
Mob +61 411 330 654
harley@performinglines.org.au
www.performinglines.org.au
www.erth.com.au