SWAMP JUICE Begins Performances Next Month at Barrow Street Theatre

The deliriously playful "Swamp Juice," puppeteer Jeff Achtem's gasp-inducing immersive theatrical experience, washes ashore at the Barrow Street Theatre for a limited 6-week run, from Friday November 28 to Sunday January 4, 2015. The North American premiere of the internationally acclaimed shadow puppetry show marks Achtem's official Off-Broadway debut. During his special holiday engagement, Achtem, whose Bunk Puppets is based out of Melbourne Australia, will also offer a number of hands-on workshops for parents (and their children) on how to turn the junk around your house into gorgeously filigreed shadow puppets.

The show's official Off-Broadway opening is set for Tuesday December 2 at 7:30pm.

Using bits of rubbish and standard household items to create his enchanting cast of characters and story vignettes, Achtem shows us the action in front of and on the screen, using simple light bulbs for illumination. This low-tech marvel, which could be described as a mash-up of South Park, Dr. Seuss and Charles Dickens, has Achtem's virtuoso performance churning at its core. A virtual whirligig of motion, crazed sound effects and otherworldly dialogue, Achtem stirs up his delicious brew until it bubbles over, quite literally, at the show's remarkable 3-D finale. (Retro 3-D glasses allow audience members to virtually leap into the world of the shadow puppets at the show's dazzling conclusion.) "Swamp Juice's" original score is composed by David Henry, Nick Carver and Tristan Kelley.

The international sensation has received a tidal wave of gushing praise from critics around the world. "Wonderfully enchanting, an absolute delight, breathtaking moments!" raves the London Evening Standard. The Adelaide Advertiser calls it "hauntingly beautiful. Awesome!" Seen in Tokyo, London, Edinburgh, Adelaide and Sydney, "Swamp Juice" received the Total Theatre Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2011. It has completed tours of the UK, Germany, Holland, and Dubai, and before New York it will melt audiences in Singapore.

Born in British Columbia and first active as a puppetry innovator in Montreal, Achtem is now based in Melbourne where he runs Bunk Puppets. His breakout production, "Sticks Stones Broken Bones," which was seen briefly at the Barrow Street Theatre in 2010, dominated the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010, snapping up Best Newcomer, Spirit of the Fringe, Total Theatre, and Sell-Out Show.

"Swamp Juice" makes it just in time for the holidays, playing a total of 32 performances at The Barrow Street Theatre from November 28, 2014 to January 4, 2015. Check www,barrowstreettheatre.com for performance schedule. For tickets, which are $45, call 212/868-4444, or visit www.smarttix.com Special Family Packs and Workshop/Show combinations are available via e-mail at boxoffice@barrowstreettheatre.com.

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