An immersive puppet show in Sydney’s Paddington Reservoir Gardens is tackling environmental issues with a playful performance. Best of all, this spellbinding all-ages production is free to see.
Meet Fauna, a four-metre-tall gentle monster who speaks on behalf of the trees. She’ll appear this month in Sydney’s Paddington Reservoir Gardens as part of Soft Forest, an immersive, free puppetry performance exploring the fragility of nature and the urgency of conservation. The show is the latest creation from Erth Visual & Physical Inc , a trailblazing theatre company that has been captivating audiences since 1990 with their artistic approach to puppetry and theatre.
“Puppetry is a very broad spectrum, from very small things to very, very big things," says Erth Visual’s Artistic Director, Scott Wright. Erth Visual has become known for its unique, inventive creatures, which are often super-sized. Their productions embody deeper concepts, communicating complex ideas in a way that appeals not just to children, but parents too. “Children appreciate being spoken to on an equallevel, because children love to learn. I think we live in a world where so much work for children can be quite patronising – we’re not those people," says Wright.
Fauna is the newest invention to come out of Erth Visual, standing four metres tall and requiring multiple puppeteers to bring her to life. For Soft Forest, she’ll wander around amid a moody soundscape while a swarm of fireflies dance in her wake.
It takes multiple puppeteers to bring this immersive performance to life. (Image: Abril Felman)
Meet Fauna, a four-metre-tall puppet who is sharing a message about conservation as part of Soft Forest. (Image: Abril Felman)
“The [concept behind] Fauna is that she is a creature that is born from the trees, so she speaks for the trees," Wright says. “The reason we chose a monster is because monsters are quite ambiguous. We have good monsters like the Cookie Monster or Totoro from Studio Ghibli. Children can relate to them on a very differentlevel because they’re not a human…they come with this sort of other world, which is magical and mysterious and compelling."
Ultimately, Soft Forest uses storytelling and performance to communicate that nature is not something that is separate from humans. The production will run through the month of September in Sydney’s historic Paddington Reservoir Garden, a whimsical setting for this spellbinding show.
“This is only the beginning," Wright says. “This [performance] in Paddington Reservoir Gardensis just one part of Fauna’s bigger story. She’ll come with more stories and more messages; she’ll appear not just in Australia, but all over the world."
Find out more about Soft Forest on the City of Sydney website . The performance is free and all-ages, but best suited for kids aged four to 12 years old.
Session dates:
4, 5 & 6 September
11, 12 & 13 September
18, 19 & 20 September
Session times:
5:30pm, 6:30pm & 7:30pm
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Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Luxury meets hyper-local hospitality with an exclusive Christmas stay package and menu you’ll want to be present for.
An Aussie Christmas is like no other. December signals the start of summer, celebrations and festive cheer. While Mariah Carey might not have defrosted just yet, we’ve got less than 100 days left of the year. So it’s time to start planning. Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney is reimagined with a luxurious festive stay package. Celebrate with a curated summer tote, a special seasonal menu that captures the flavours of a Sydney summer and cocktails crafted to capture the spirit of a harbourside Christmas.
This is your sign to skip the end-of-year chaos and let Christmas be taken care of for you.
A stay at Park Hyatt
Gaze out from your balcony to see Sydney’s icons.
If you love a room with a view, imagine waking up on Christmas Day to the sound of waves and a sunrise over the iconic Sydney Opera House. Step out to your private balcony to soak in the sun, and you’ll find you’re on the doorstep to the coastal cobblestone charm of Sydney’s very own Christmas boulevard, The Rocks.
Enter Park Hyatt Sydney, a 155-room harbour-side hotel, centered in the beating heart of a historic neighbourhood, seamlessly blending life’s little luxuries with living like a local. Spend long, summer days lounging by the rooftop pool with 360-degree views of this harbour city or indulge in tailored treatments at The Spa.
Spend summer days by the rooftop pool.
Be seated in The Dining Room, overlooking sparkling waters, to taste the vibrancy of an Australian summer. Led by Executive Chef Tyson Gee, discover a lunch and dinner menu that heroes coastal ingredients.
The festive stay package
Park Hyatt Sydney has introduced a festive stay package to up the Christmas spirit. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay in a guest room or suite with uninterrupted views, valet parking and a full breakfast for two in The Dining Room.
The Summer Kit
Take home a branded tote bag.
Because it’s an Aussie Christmas, guests booking the package will also receive a curated, limited-edition Summer Christmas kit stocked with seasonal luxuries, including the hotel’s first-ever branded merch.
Think a signature Park Hyatt Sydney sun cap and Aesop sunscreen valued at $300, all in a branded luxury tote bag. This kit will also be available for purchase throughout December, if you’re in need of any gift ideas.
The details
The festive stay package applies to stays from 1 – 27 December, with a limited number of suites available. Guests can book using the exclusive offer code XMAS25 on parkhyattsydney.com . They can also call +61 2 9256 1234 or email sydney.park.accommodation@hyatt.com.
Christmas dining
Taste a special Christmas menu at The Dining Room.
For the gourmands who want to participate in the festivities but are unable to stay as an overnight guest, Park Hyatt Sydney can still be your Christmas go-to. Taste Chef Tyson Gee’s themed culinary creations throughout December .
From 1 – 24 December, diners can book a Christmas Afternoon Tea from $95 pp. Prepare for Christmas flavours like braised turkey pie with cranberry gel, plus gingerbread and salted vanilla bûche de Noël and a chocolate hazelnut bauble for dessert.
On Christmas Day, The Dining Room and The Living Room will both offer a five-course menu from $425 per person. Start with a glass of NV Taittinger Champagne on arrival – accompanied by Sydney’s finest seafood – and end with a reimagined mango pavlova, with rice pudding and pink peppercorn.
“Our vision was to capture the flavours of a harbourside Australian Christmas,” says Gee. “Guests will enjoy seafood at its best, from fresh oysters to cured ocean trout, paired with tropical fruit accents and festive touches like glazed Berkshire ham and roast duck. Every dish has been imagined for a harbourside Christmas celebration.”
Guests can also enjoy a range of seasonal cocktails crafted by Head Mixologist Kevin Botte, including the Christmas Negroni, Christmas Mulled Wine and a Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail.
Exploring Sydney
The best of Sydney is right on your doorstep.
For those planning a visit, Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney means you’re perfectly situated to explore the best of Sydney.
The hotel is mere steps away from the icons, from Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Add open-air galleries full of murals and explore the nearby cobblestone streets.
Head to the charming Rocks Markets, where the streets transform with seasonal Christmas creations, of the artisan and foodie variety. Then head over to Dawes Point Park for a picnic under the bridge.
Find more 360-degree rooftop views at the Glenmore, or listen to live music at Brewhouse at Squire’s Landing from Wednesday to Sunday (times vary). There’s something for everyone.
