Spare Parts Puppet Theatre Unveils World Premiere of Level Up! at Claremont Showground
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is set to captivate audiences with the world premiere of Level Up! at the Centenary Pavilion, Claremont Showground, during the upcoming school holiday season. This innovative production marks the directorial debut of Yvan Karlsson, a puppeteer with deep roots in the company, blending puppetry with video game themes to create a unique family experience.
Yvan Karlsson's Journey from Childhood Observer to Director
Yvan Karlsson's connection to Spare Parts Puppet Theatre began in his childhood, when he would watch his mother, Sally Richardson, create productions like Splat! while playing on his Game Boy. Raised in Nedlands, Karlsson later trained as a trainee in the company's FirstHand Emergent Puppetry Artist program in 2015, learning from artistic director Philip Mitchell and legendary puppeteer Noriko Nishimoto. After performing in a remount of Splat! in 2016, he moved to London to develop his artistic voice independently.
Karlsson's puppetry career includes significant roles, such as puppeteering the reindeer Sven in Disney's Frozen The Musical across Perth, Singapore, and Germany. He describes this experience as physically demanding but immensely rewarding, highlighting how it combined his skills in circus, gymnastics, and puppetry to delight audiences.
Level Up! Explores Gaming and Real-World Connections
In Level Up!, Karlsson draws parallels between manipulating puppets and controlling characters in video games, a concept he developed as a lifelong gamer. The show aims to challenge negative narratives around gaming by promoting healthy play, kindness online, and genuine connections. Karlsson explains, "I wanted to change the narrative on video games... promoting connection and friendship in virtual spaces."
The production follows two characters who form a bond while playing a video game called Z, but face conflicts as the real world intrudes. Karlsson adds, "It's about friendship and learning to say sorry, with a real heart at its core." The show features various puppetry styles to represent different game genres, ensuring it resonates with gamers of all types, from casual players to enthusiasts.
Performance Details and Artistic Vision
Level Up! is described as an action-packed puppet show that addresses themes of gaming, friendship, and growing up in the digital age. It runs from April 6 to 18 at the Centenary Pavilion, Claremont Showground, with tickets available through the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre website. Karlsson hopes the production will offer fun and laughter while delivering a meaningful message about forming real connections, both online and offline.
