Title
Home is where the heart is
Description
A collaboration with the puppeteer Ali McCaw. An interactive theatre piece was developed and taken out into towns and cities, as part of Celia's research around people's feelings, memories and desires of 'home'. Click here for 5-minute film.
The use of puppets, rather than human interviewers, had a charm which tended to disinhibit the interviewees, enabling fascinating interactions to take place.
Celia's role, the artist researcher, was played by a puppet character, called The Major. In the piece, the Major, with his trusty companion, Ruff Ruffson, interviewed members of the public about where they lived, and about what their dream home would look like. The Major, a keen draftsperson, then sketched out the plans for the described dream home.
The interviews took place inside the puppets' home, which had taken up root in the middle of the street or shopping centre. It consisted in a mobile contraption constructed out of bric-a-brac. The Major would invite people off the street, through his front door (an old wooden wash stand), to join him 'for tea'.
The use of puppets, rather than human interviewers, had a charm which tended to disinhibit the interviewees, enabling fascinating interactions to take place.
Celia's role, the artist researcher, was played by a puppet character, called The Major. In the piece, the Major, with his trusty companion, Ruff Ruffson, interviewed members of the public about where they lived, and about what their dream home would look like. The Major, a keen draftsperson, then sketched out the plans for the described dream home.
The interviews took place inside the puppets' home, which had taken up root in the middle of the street or shopping centre. It consisted in a mobile contraption constructed out of bric-a-brac. The Major would invite people off the street, through his front door (an old wooden wash stand), to join him 'for tea'.
Location
The performance as research was performed in three towns on the west coast of Cumbria, UK.
Year
2017
Credits
Thanks to Ali McCaw, designer and puppeteer, Marion Smith, photography, and financial support from Maryport Town Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Whitehaven Town Council and Workington Town Council.