2011-14: Wedhus Gembel

 Wedhus Gembel –  a spectacular cross-cultural collaboration with independent artists from Yogyakarta, Indonesia & Snuff Puppets.

Part ritual, part performance, Wedhus Gembel explores tensions between traditional and contemporary Indonesian life and mythology.

A parable about the cycle of life, the destructive power of nature and the nature of duality; from destruction, there is creation, from chaos there is harmony.

Wedhus Gembel tells the age-old story of a young couple who wish to have a child. The couple prays and makes offerings to the sacred mountain. Eventually, their prayers are answered. A baby appears from the fiery volcano and is welcomed by the couple but its grotesque appearance terrifies the villagers. Strange things begin to happen in the village …

 Workshop

Each performance season of Wedhus Gembel includes a 2-day workshop with Indonesian artists & Snuff Puppets working with local artists/community to create new public performances, directly engaging local communities in the performance of the show.

“Wedhus Gembel is an affirmation of the power of cross-cultural collaboration. Creation of the production began in 2009, a unique experience that took Snuff Puppets deep into the amazing artistic, cultural and mystical life of Java. Together we created this large scale spectacle with a mountain that volcanically erupts, a monster that devours the whole cast, magical singing, trances, classical and contemporary puppetry, mask and dance theatre.” – Andy Freer, Snuff Puppets’ Artistic Director