Puppet show features endangered bat

By Frank Neill

Grenada Village puppeteer Anna Bailey is currently working on a new show with a strong conservation focus.

Called “Flutter” it is a puppet show for family audiences about a short tailed bat who is afraid of the dark and is befriended by a glow worm.

“In the show I would like to raise awareness about the endangered and very unique short tailed bat, the relationship with the Dactylanthus/Te Pua o te Reinga, also endangered and unique, and the threats that the bat faces from predators like the stoat,

“I started my development process for this show with a couple of workshops with school children at Zealandia in March this year.

“While there are no short tailed bats living in Zealandia they have translocated Dactylanthus/Te Pua o te Reinga there with hope one day the bats will return.

“My director is Jen McArthur who lives in Karori and we are rehearsing in Grenada Village Hall and Vogelmorn Bowling Club.

“Steph Cairns, who lives in Kilbirine, is composing original music for the show.”

“Flutter” tells the story of a bat who is afraid of the dark.

She encounters a glow worm who thinks she is a star.

Themes of courage, friendship, and conservation are interwoven with a heart-warming story that introduces audiences to the unique and endangered short-tailed bat.

“Flutter” will premiere at the TAHI festival at BATS theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, in September.

There will be a performance at 10am on Friday 15 September and performances at 10am and 1pm on Saturday 16 September. Tickets are $10 each.