Paddle from England to Canada, down to South America, around the bottom of Australia, over to South Africa and back up to England. All on a Sunday afternoon, in a canoe, at Newcastle Ocean Baths. Eat an ice block then go home with blistering sunburn and sea lice. Perfect.
A giant map of the world at the paddling pool next door to the Newcastle Ocean Baths once provided just that experience.
Built during the 1930s, the continents that made up the ‘‘Young Mariners Pool’’ was a Depression Era initiative to provide employment for the jobless and entertainment for families. A local geography teacher was consulted and the map of the world was created out of concrete and installed in the pool.
The continents were eventually broken up and removed in the 1960s after they were damaged in a storm, and some of the pieces are believed to have been dumped off Nobbys breakwater.
TANTRUM Youth Theatre’s Artistic Director, Amy Hardingham, assisted by Lucy Shepherd, enlisted the award winning skills of playwright Vanessa Bates to create a piece of contemporary youth theatre at its best, based on the history of this pool. This site and theme specific event had us assembling in front of the original pool at night as if we were to board a cruise ship – World Luxury Cruises. Divided into 3 groups according to the colour of our passport/program, we were taken on our cruise by, in our case, a slighted in love and hence bitter and sarcastic cruise director.
Each group rotated around several experiences in a brilliantly coordinated fashion, visiting different sites located around Newcastle Ocean Baths. Particularly enjoyable was a documentary, created by James Edwards, displayed on a wall inside the baths that was based on interviews with people who grew up with the pool. Another, Postcardia, gave us postcards from Venice, Alaska, London, Paris and was an example of excellent use of the diverse ages and talents of the company as they were presented by the youngest members of the company, reading out their postcards as the other stripy T-shirted members mimed out the card.
Eventually all groups were brought back together and we visited Ghostlandia. Haunting music created by Zachari Watt and gentle waves in the background assisted in creating a beautiful scene as we gazed down upon ghosts of young people, mothers and children. Followed by some fun moving tableaus and synchronized swimming, our evening aboard the cruise was over.
TANTRUM Youth Theatre has specialised in site and theme specific events that explore the unique geography, architecture and history of Newcastle in a manner that is fun and engages the audience as they move around spaces and places to watch performances devised by the company.
DIVING OFF THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, written by Vanessa Bates and directed by Lucy Shephard and Amy Hardingham, is one of their best productions so far and well worth the trip to Newcastle. A Tantrum Youth Theatre Company production opened on the 14th February and is playing until the evening of Saturday 22nd February at the Newcastle Ocean Baths, Shortland Esplanade. Cost $25 concession. $35 adult. $100 family. Kids under 5 get in free. Bookings online can be made at www.stickytickets.com.au