Australian performer presents blend of puppetry and mime

By John Redmond

Australian performer Tim Watts will present a unique blend of puppetry and mime in a show entitled “The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer” at LIG Art Hall in Yeoksam-dong, Southern Seoul.

The show begins today for a five-day run through May 8.

“Alvin Sputnik” is a visually inspired solo show, created and performed by Tim Watts, who employs a unique blend of mime, puppetry, live and recorded music, and animation to present an exploration of the next and oldest frontier ― the deep blue sea.

The story, set in the future, is a multi award-winning one-man puppet show that melds technology and multimedia into a touching story of enduring love and the end of the world.

“The seas have risen, billions have died and those who are left live on farms atop skyscrapers, atop mountains. Scientists have tried everything .... A last ditch effort to save the human race requires journeying down through the mysterious depths of the deep blue sea to find a new place for us to live,” states a press release.

Sputnik, who just lost his wife, accepts the mission so he can follow her soul down to the underworld and be reunited.

“Sputnik” was first performed at Perth’s Blue Room theatre in Western Australia in June 2009 before presenting a highly successful season at the New York International Fringe Festival. In New York, it was awarded “outstanding solo show” and received rave reviews.

Watts is a performer, deviser, director, producer, puppeteer and animator. He is a member of “Weeping Spoon Productions,” an international multi-award winning independent theater company based in Perth, Australia. He has worked with various theater practitioners and companies including Marek Bečka of Prague, Jean-guy Lecat of France Paris, Complicite of England and Dell'arte International of the United States.

LIG Art Hall was established in 2006 by LG Insurance Co., Ltd., as a part of its commitments to support young and promising artists since 1998. In 2006, LG Insurance Co., Ltd., officially changed its corporate identity to LIG Insurance Co., Ltd. and moved its headquarters to a new building in Gangnam, thus opening a new era for LIG Art Hall to be the venue devoted to full-scale creative programs delivering various cultural forms.

Performance times are 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Tickets cost 20,000 won.

For reservations visit www.interpark.com.