Wet Planet.

We set up Paper Planet in MPavillion in the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite the Arts Centre Melbourne in 2015. The space that year was a semi-outdoor, roofed venue with all sides open to the gardens. A really wonderful space in which Paper Planet could spill out and interact with the natural world around it. Breeze blew leaves and papers through the cardboard trees, the sun repositioned itself throughout the day, changing the light amongst our cardboard trees, and as characters we could break out of the venue itself and cartwheel around on the grass.

It was Summer, and it was hot. I had an idea to make a full body paper rabbit costume including a mask, so it was very hot! Until one day, it wasn’t so hot. And we found out that the roof was not waterproof.

During a session, and quite suddenly, there was a storm outside, and rain began running down the cardboard trees and dripping from the paper vines! The whole place became a soggy rainforest, with giant puddles. There was no other option than to give in an enjoy the wild change of environment. In fact it is one of my favourite moments during Paper Planet. Emily and I became a roving news team and interviewed the kids about the dramatic weather conditions. People splashed and rolled in puddles. Lachlan tried desperately to keep the sound equipment going as rain blew in from all directions. It was chaos and it was fantastic!

• Nick Barlow
  MPavilion, Saint Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC, Australia