Jeff Michel and Sam McMahon in The Gatekeeper. Photo by Peter Mathew.

A whole heap of horse-play in a play about a horse, and the man that wants to be one.
That’s the description of the latest Terrapin Puppet Theatre Production, The Gatekeeper. About 100 children and parents escaped a particularly rainy day in Hobart for the warmth and comfort of the Theatre Royal. The collection of strange objects on stage caught their attention immediately and the anticipation from the children and parents began to build.

Balloons, sticky tape dispensers, ladders, all thrown together on a bench with a hint of science laboratory. We would later hear that we were looking into Jeff’s brain. Who is Jeff? Well he is a confused, slightly Beakerish (for those familiar with the Muppets) scientist. Stereotypically geekish and clumsy, Hobart based actor, Jeff Michael is perfectly cast in the role. He is quirky, extremely physical and engages well with the audience.

He is accompanied by a curious cowboy sidekick, Sam McMahon who also takes on the role of ‘Bu…