City of Riddles is Polyglot's upcoming new work which will tour to schools in November 2011 (bookings now open!) and a larger version will play to the general public in theatres in 2011.

About City of Riddles

Entering the space through a portal, children follow twisting, winding, intersecting pathways which lead to separate suburban landscapes.  Giant-like in a miniature world, they see houses, buildings, roads and objects strewn in the space before them, forming separate little communities.  In the centre of the space is a giant cube, standing alone as a mysterious centrepiece.

In an interactive world of secret messages, problem solving and physical engagement, the participants’ task is to discover what led to the downfall of a once great city – the remnants of which are scattered around the space – and to return the city to its former glory.  They are given the chance to re-visit the past in order to re-construct the future.  With a set which is like a giant puzzle, interlocking and fitting together, the children are enrolled to uncover the city’s mysteries.

Thematic

City of Riddles explores the fluid concept of truth, our preoccupation with our own space, and individual and group responsibility. We ask the question, ‘If you had the chance to do it all again – what would you do differently?’ .  The text will utilise word play and enigma to create an intriguing and mischievous atmosphere in a fantastical world.  Through a dramatic storyline the audience will be drawn into making the choices that decide the city’s ultimate fate, facilitated by three performers ‘in the round’, as they move and manipulate the objects in the space.  Sound will permeate the environment, creating a rich emotional subtext within the different scenarios of the city.

The Process So Far

In 2009, the kids from Whittington, Healesville and Badger Creek Primary Schools, created their own little houses through a process of imagining, design, construction and decorating, working alongside professional artists, with  results that were seen by their local communities. Wish Street was a walkthrough installation in a shopfront in Healesville, and Whittington PS play within an environment of their own making.

The artists making City of Riddles also undertook a week of creative development where a group of children engaged with a towering cardboard construction.  Feedback sessions were held with all children, and their insights and experiences have added greatly to the picture.

Next Steps in the Creative Process

In 2010, the Riddles team works with Dinjerra PS in Braybrook and re-visits our other school communities, in the development of story and script, including the making of a new animation piece.  We are working with communities of children who for different reasons understand the notion of crisis and resilience in the face of danger.  They will help us to discover what children see as the features that make up good communities and how they can be expressed.

This term we work alongside the children of grade 3/4 MR in Dinjerra Primary School. Focusing on story through animation techniques we have created huge sprawling landscapes, covered ourselves in charcoal, created songs and 3D structures using the children’s own drawings as construction guides.   From this process we will emerge with a key element of the show, and with many of the challenges of active inclusion during performance, tested and tried.  They are an amazing bunch of kids. Key artists in the room, Nick Barlow – animation, Daniele Poidomani – Design, James Wilkinson – sound design, and Sue Giles  - director/writer. Thanks to Alex and Leanne and Sharon for making this explorative process possible. 

Key Artists

Director - Sue Giles

Designer - Daniele Poidomani

Sound Designer - James Wilkinson

Lighting Designer - Richard Vabre

Animator - Nick Barlow