Delve into the whimsical world of the old time carnival with a visit to Talulah Rae's Magic Theatre.
It's a world full of mystery and intrigue, one that inspires wonder and awe in all who enter it. From giant paper moons to immersive kaleidoscopes, to a tiny travelling theatre, it's a fascinating adventure.
Talulah was originally from Armidale, and moved to the region four years ago, bringing her travelling theatre with her. It's a mixture of cabaret, circus, comedy, and "all sorts of things" that she takes to festivals, events, weddings, birthdays, and cabarets.
But one theme is consistent.
"The aesthetic was of the old carnivale, the vintage sort of carnival, the old time fair ground," she said.
"I just love the carnival and the way it brings the wonders and the curiosities, and the freaks, and the magic people, and the gypsies. And bringing that old-world kind of wonder."
One element of the Magic Theatre is Papermoon Photography, and old-style photo booth that takes inspiration from the 1800s.
Talulah says they became popular in the 1900s, but people may be familiar with them in Australia as they have been at both Luna Parks in Sydney and Melbourne.
She makes the paper moon set herself and loves seeing the wonder come out when someone puts on a hat and poses on the moon.
"It gives people permission to play," she said. "You become a part of the story and get to take home your very own image."
Talulah's original paper moon was lost in the February 2022 flood, but now, she has three.
One is on show in Byron Bay's Otherworld - a new immersive space at the old Woolworths site.
"Land of Make Believe" - a nod to Ella Fitzgerald' 1933 song "Its only a Papermoon" - is an invitation to step into a world of myth and fairytale and immerse yourself in the beauty and whimsy of the vintage carnivale and the iconic Papermoon," the exhibition notes say.
Talulah and partner Tim Garrett also have Mirrordromes on exhibition at Otherworld - the fascinating exhibit is like a giant immersive kaleidoscope.
Prior to the flood, Talulah was touring her travelling theatre, designing escape rooms, and hosting the theatre dinner, Carnivale of the Mysteries of the Soul.
The flood brought a halt the events, but the travelling theatre is slowly being rebuilt.
"With my little travelling theatre, I'm remodelling that in a high-end art deco style, with a bit of a nod to World War I - after the horrors of the war, everyone wanted some opulence and luxury."
Talulah says her little theatre van, once it's stripped of it's mud and given a new life, "might just be the world's most opulent apocalyptic getaway van".
It sounds like a wonderful place to get away from the stresses of life. It has a bar and a small theatre on the inside, a cinema projection screen at the back and stage at the front. What more could you want?
"It's very old worldly," Talulah said. "People don't expect it to be so opulent and so amazing inside. Just the look on people's faces - it's inspiring wonder, I think, of another world.
"There's a nostalgia that I believe some people have - whether it comes from movies, or whether it comes from something we think we have experienced before.
"At the core of it is bringing the magic and the wonder, and something that feels a little bit like it's otherworldly."
Talulah aims to bring back the mysterious theatre dinner Carnivale of the Mysteries of the Soul in June. for a six month tour.
You can find out more about Talulah Rae's magical world at www.themagictheatre.com.au.
