Dead Puppet Society will reimagine Tim Winton’s iconic Australian novel Blueback as a large-scale production, bringing the coming-of-age story to life through our signature use of puppetry and transformative design. Blending visual spectacle with ensemble-driven storytelling and an original score, the production will transport audiences beneath the waves, immersing them in the wonders and fragility of our marine world, anchored within the deeply human story.

With ambition to tour globally, BLUEBACK will speak to both the audience who grew up with the book as well as a new generation. It will stand as a bold contribution to the Australian theatre landscape, uniting spectacle with themes of social and ecological justice in its retelling of this beloved Australian story.

The production will meld various theatrical forms and provide a dramatic framework for Winton’s sparse, poetic dialogue through narration delivered by an intergenerational ensemble who reflects the epic temporal scope of the story.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Image by Dylan McLeod.