Puppetry, technology and humour collide at Questacon

6 November 2008

Questacon’s new exhibition Cabaret Mechanical Theatre presents Mechanics Alive!! was today opened by British High Commissioner, The Right Honorable Helen Liddell and Questacon Director Professor Graham Durant.

Visitors to Cabaret Mechanical Theatre presents Mechanics Alive!! will discover what happens when puppetry, technology and humour come together in the world of automata. An Egyptian god performing sit-ups, fish jumping into a cat’s mouth and even a man eating spaghetti from his bath are just some of the amusing and amazing simple machines on display.

“Questacon is delighted to host this colourful, engaging and whimsical exhibition. Children and adults alike will be intrigued, amused and delighted by the collection of contemporary automata and possibly surprised by the way that simple wooden mechanical sculptures capture their imagination. Making such simple animated models could be a fascinating hobby for Canberra children and a great way to learn some basic woodworking and design skills,” said Questacon Director Professor Graham Durant.

The Cabaret Mechanical Theatre presents Mechanics Alive!! exhibition at Questacon is proudly presented with support from the British High Commission.

“Cabaret Mechanical Theatre presents Mechanics Alive!! is a fantastic exhibition. I hope it inspires the next generation of scientists and innovators,” said Helen Liddell, British High Commissioner.

The 35 exhibits that make up Cabaret Mechanical Theatre presents Mechanics Alive!! exhibition were created and designed by some of United Kingdom’s top designers and craftspeople for the acclaimed Cabaret Mechanical Theatre company.

The Cabaret Mechanical Theatre presents Mechanics Alive!! exhibition will remain at Questacon until January 27 2009 and is the latest in a series of events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Questacon–The National Science and Technology Centre.