The Gardeners are a pair of characters from another world. It is as if they have emerged from a remote rural property of another time.
They are the latest creations of Macedon Ranges artists Tamara Rewse and Hamish Fletcher, who have made their living through puppetry and performance.
Soon to be crafted to life, The Gardeners will roam farmers markets as part of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival.
“These puppets are designed to be non-threatening fascinations,” Tamara said.
“The Gardeners are slow, considered, warm and gentle. They also love a bit of a jig!
“Unlike us, they harbour no fear of judgment. This is very intentional and a response to our time where many people continue to experience the challenges of COVID life. The Gardeners expect nothing in return but want you to feel good.”
Spreading joy was an important element for Tamara and Hamish as performers and theatre makers.
The Gardeners will be delivering kind and thoughtful messages to the people they interact with.
These Hobbit-like characters will be about 1200-1300mm tall. The puppeteer will be cleverly hidden inside the basket of produce each will carry on their back.
Tamara and Hamish will work together across one month to hand-build the full body puppet suits.
“Almost nothing comes directly as you want it when you make puppets so we make everything from scratch and customised for each puppet,” Tamara said.
Part of the process will include sculpting and casting the face and hands in silicone to give a realistic effect.
“Similar to something like (characters from) The Dark Crystal,” Tamara explained.
Character costumes will also be hand-made.
Other materials they will be working with include pegang (a type of cane used for making crayfish baskets), aluminium and foam.
Hamish, from Woodend, and Tamara, from Kyneton, began their creative relationship in 2004 when they studied a Post Graduate Diploma in Puppetry at Victorian College of the Arts.
For 10 years the friends made shows and toured the world together. They now have more than 25 years’ experience working with puppets of all scales in everything from street performance to television.
You may have seen some of their work in Blueys Big Play, Grug and Grug and the Rainbow, and, most recently, Beep and Mort the TV series.
Tamara hoped The Gardeners would reach people of all ages.
“Live street theatre is a special space to reach people who may not ordinarily be exposed to a theatrical event,” she said.
“The great thing about The Gardeners is that you can just observe from a distance or choose to engage if you feel comfortable. In this way it is great for first-time theatre goers young and old.”
People can meet The Gardeners at the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, taking place from March 26 to April 25.
