Kids Page

from The Bribie Islander Issue 144 July

Between The Leaves

Are Puppets Back? Are Puppets Back?

A Puppet Show Wins 'Best Kids Live Show' At National Industry Awards

"Kids absolutely love our puppets and, while we love performing live shows, we're keen to bring puppets back to Australian TV in a big way - that's our next big goal." FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2 July, 2021: A puppet show performed by Bribie Island's Larrikin Puppets has won 'Best Kids Live Show', the highly coveted judged award, at the National What's On 4 Kids Awards in a shock win of the night. A win for grassroots grit, dogged determination and untamed talent, Larrikin Puppets - who perform 3-4 live shows for children and families each week at schools, childcare centres, libraries, shopping centres and festivals from as far north as Rockhampton, as far south as Coffs Harbour and as far west as Mitchell - are reeling from their success at this year's Australian industry awards for children's entertainment and activities. Larrikin Puppets also took home People's Choice Winner and Highly Commended for Best Local School-Aged Activity (5-12 years) sponsored by Australian Children’s Activity Association, honouring the work they do in schools teaching puppetry performance workshops. Larrikin Puppets, based on Bribie Island, performs colourful and exciting puppet shows and interactive puppetry workshops featuring zany characters and catchy songs - live, online and for film and TV. They also have a fun, catchy music EP for kids aged 3-7, which debuted during 2020's first major Covid lockdown, now available to stream and download. Highly entertaining and captivating, Larrikin Puppets’ fast-paced, feel-good puppetry celebrates fun, kindness and diversity while nurturing child development, encouraging audiences to talk, dance, sing and play along. Larrikin Puppets, established in 2012, is a thriving Australian puppetry arts company founded by Brett Hansen. His wife Elissa Jenkins joins him as co-puppeteer. Since being forced to shut their doors for 6 months during 2020 due to Covid restrictions, Larrikin Puppets has come back bigger and better than ever, with gigs now booked out 3 months in advance. Larrikin Puppets' principal puppeteer Brett Hansen said winning the national award for Best Kids Live Show was a major highlight of his career.