Paloma and the Do of Death
Tom Tuke
9/3/20 – 15/3/20


Grim Reapers Get A Staff Party In New Puppet Comedy

A cast of driftwood marionettes are set to star in Paloma and the Do of Death, a show coming to Wellington this Fringe season. The play, which is on at play_station gallery, has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

Artist Tom Tuke has constructed the marionettes out of flotsam and jetsam from the Coast Road beaches, north of Greymouth. Paloma represents his first foray into puppetry. “I was teaching in Hokitika in 2018, and we started making puppets with my senior art class. I think I got the bug then, and have spent the next year fossicking for driftwood and other material, carving, stringing-up, and ultimately bringing these puppets to life”. And lively they are, one of Tuke’s grim reapers even manages to vape.

The plot revolves around Paloma, an elderly castaway, and a group of grim reapers - who turn up to her tropical island for a staff party. The reapers are enjoying their first proper day off since the dawn of time, and so, Paloma is not the top of their agenda. But when one reaper hasn’t met his KPIs, and is barred from entry, Paloma’s soul is on the line. Will the fragile relationship between the living and Death last the duration of the party? Find out in one of the play_station shows, which has its official premiere on Monday the 9th of March at 8PM. The shows continue every night until Saturday March 14, then there is a matinee show to finish up, at 3pm on Sunday 15th March. The show will continue down to the Wunderbar in Lyttelton, the Dunedin Fringe and Papatowai, then up to the the West Coast, playing at the Old Lodge Theatre in Hokitika, then the historic Barrytown Hall.

Tom Tuke is an artist, teacher, and radio host based in Auckland. He wrote the play for radio in 2015, and has now adapted it for puppets.

Paloma and the Do of Death: Pōneke/Wellington Shows
Where: play_station - 1/233 Willis St, Wellington
When: Monday March 9, 8pm
Tuesday March 10, 8pm
Wednesday March 11, 8pm
Thursday March 12, 8pm
Friday March 13, 8pm
Saturday March 14, 8pm
Sunday March 15, 3pm