ao21: autumn/winter 2007
NEWS AND NOTICEBOARD

> News from puppeteers and companies
> News from other arts organisations
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NEWS FROM PUPPETEERS AND COMPANIES

BLIND SUMMIT

Blind Summit recently presented a new 20-minute piece, Real Man, with a live pianist and a life-sized puppet of a man, inspired by the Jack London classic Call of the Wild. Commissioned by Firsts 2007, it played at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre 27 & 28 November, as part of a mixed programme of exciting new work. Blind Summit's Low Life is also touring the UK in November/December. In January their groundbreaking collaboration with Anthony Minghella, Madam Butterfly, returns to the ENO – various dates and times. See www.blindsummit.com

DNA

DNA is pleased to announce that the company has been awarded a grant of nearly £5000 from Arts Council England North West to further develop its innovative interactive performance for early years, Ball Pond Bobby. Following a successful tour in spring 2007, DNA will now commission bespoke seating, remake the set and add to the overall aesthetic of the performance for its autumn 2007 tour. DNA will also supply additional supporting materials for families to enhance their understanding of the experience. The company is very excited to be working closely with Early Years Specialist, Joanne Albin-Clark to evaluate the project and with Ludus Dance who will work with dancer Tids Pickard to further develop the choreography. Ball Pond Bobby plays the Tate Modern in London on 15 December. See http://www.dynamicnewanimation.co.uk/Bookings.html (click on the Google Calendar for tour dates)

FAULTY OPTIC

He tries to remember, she tries to forget. Ripped apart by the fickle Bacchae, Orpheus has found most of his strewn body parts except his legs. All that remains is for Eurydice to remarry him, but she is desperately trying to wash something terrible away. The only hope is Elysium, but Elysium beckons only for some, and only after they yield to complete amnesia. After a successful autumn/winter tour, Faulty Optic’s latest show Dead Wedding plays the London International Mime Festival 22-26 January, as part of Barbicanbite 08. Email faultyoptic@ntlworld.com or see www.faultyoptic.co.uk



FORKBEARD FANTASY   
                                                                                 
FF continue to tour their show Invisible Bonfires (reviewed in this edition), a mix of surreal comedy and spectacle where astonishing 3D projections and ultra-slick smoothy-pant presentation combine with the gorgeous live music of The Lotus Pedals. FF are also providing film and special FX sequences for The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton’s new adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and will be holding a series of short courses in the spring of 2008, as well as their residential Summer Schools in June and July. For more information on all of Forkbeard’s activities, visit the website at www.forkbeardfantasy.co.uk

GARLIC THEATRE

For Spring 2008 Garlic Theatre continue to tour their latest production of The Magnificent Flying Machine. Directed by Steve Tiplady from Indefinite Articles, the show is a gentle and poetic fantasy about  the wacky adventures of Prof. Bix Horn as he flies by the seat of his pants and tries to build a flying machine out of the most unusual things. Garlic Theatre will also be performing Fiddlesticks for the 30th Theatre Anniversary in Varese, Italy in February 2008. As winners of the Luc Vincent Prize in Ghent, Garlic Theatre will perform at  the 25th Anniversary of the Ghent Festival in July. See www.garlictheatre.org.uk

GAVIN SKERRITT

Gavin Skerritt performed at the 9th International Puppet Festival in Norway this October. Whilst in Norway he also performed to schools and ran workshops, and gave a talk to Norwegian University students on the process of creating The Little Matchstick Girl, and on his involvement with deprived children in East London, who he worked with during “research and development”. Both The Little Matchstick Girl and Eastenda played the Norwich Puppet Theatre in November. For further information contact Gavin Skerritt: call 020 7476 5049, email info@gavinskerritt.com or see www.gavinskerritt.com 

GREEN GINGER

Green Ginger’s Rust is hitting the road for a final time; a culmination of 24 months of European touring, this award-winning production was recently described in the Norwegian national press as “part-Sex Pistols, part-Monty Python and with a touch of The Young Ones”. Touring Belgium, Poland, Germany, Norway, France and the UK – see the website for details. Green Ginger is also coordinating Toast in the Machine, a rolling programme of Bristol-based professional development and mentoring for young puppeteers and other theatre and film-makers. From Spring 2008, a limited number of 18 month-long support packages will be co-designed with the participants, drawing on a combination of vocational skills training, research, practical advice, project support, independent study/work experience and mentorship. For more info call +44 (0)117 9225599 or email mail@greenginger.net or see www.greenginger.net

HORSE + BAMBOO THEATRE

This autumn, Rossendale-based Horse + Bamboo Theatre have been touring their award-winning play In The Shadow of Trees. Set in a mysterious woodland, the play is the compelling story of a young girl, abandoned at birth, who grows up nurtured by nature alone – a feral child who slowly discovers, loves and protects the natural environment she has been raised in. In The Shadow of Trees played this autumn at The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster and at Stourbridge Town Hall (as part of the inaugural International Mask Festival). For the Xmas season, it comes to The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield from 14 to 24 December. In the new year, the company will unveil plans for their new show, Veil. For further information call Richard Hall, Executive Producer on 01706 242 944 or see www.horseandbamboo.org

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE

For the Xmas season the Little Angel Theatre are presenting Cinderella. The show, which runs until 24 January 2008, has received great reviews (and is Critic’s Choice in Time Out). It is created by the team that created Jabberwocky, The Fantastic Mr Fox, The Mouse Queen, and other hits for the Little Angel: director Steve Tiplady, designer Peter O’Rourke, and composer Hannah Marshall. A tale of dreams coming true from 'the home of British puppetry', Cinderella is a contemporary piece of puppet theatre based on the classic version by the Brothers Grimm. Original music, marionettes, rod puppets and theatrical wizardry combine to make this a magical production for all the family. Suitable for 5+ years. In tandem with Cinderella, the company are presenting Little Cinders, a new production for younger children age 2–5 years. www.littleangeltheatre.com

LOST AND FOUND THEATRE

Following a successful tour of her first show, The Lost Moon (which recently re-toured throughout the autumn), Mandy Travis of Lost & Found Theatre has received further funding from Arts Council England South East to research and develop a new production based upon the journey of Orpheus into Hades, in which Mandy will be collaborating with Michael Fowkes, Kath Boddy, Pete Flood and Simon Plumridge. In this new project, Lost & Found Theatre continues its exploration of themes of loss and redemption as Orpheus journeys through the dark and unpredictable regions of Hades, in search of his beloved Eurydice, charming inanimate objects, entrancing savage beasts and even the gods themselves with his music. This will be an exploratory process, incorporating puppetry, object theatre, performance, projection, animation and original music and sound. It is intended that this ‘work-in-progress’ will be subsequently developed into a full production during 2008. For updates see www.lostandfoundtheatre.co.uk

MERVYN MILLAR

Mervyn Millar is working as Associate on War Horse (reviewed in this edition of Animations Online), produced by the National Theatre in association with Handpsring Puppet Company. He is also appearing in the show, which runs in rep till early 2008. See: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/warhorse

NORWICH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF PUPPET THEATRE

The second Norwich International Festival of Puppet Theatre, the UK's biggest celebration of puppetry, ran 19–27 October. The Festival included contemporary dance, puppet and visual theatre companies, as well as clowns and cabaret artists who use object animation and puppet techniques. This year featured the newest and most prestigious puppet theatre companies from Cuba, Slovenia, Spain, England, Sweden, Argentina, Hungary and Portugal — with highlights including The Devil and the Baker/ El Diablo y el Panadero from Teatro Nacional de Guiñol-Havana; the world premier in English of The Miser by Tàbola Rassa; and a production of Doctor Faustus using traditional 1920s Slovenian puppets.

NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE

In December, Norwich are presenting two shows from Figurina Theatre of Animation from Hungary: Grim(m)aces, in which tales of the brothers Grimm are performed with simple objects of everyday life; and Microcircus & The Kidnapping of The Sun & The Moon – the world-famous circus of fantastic hands. Among the tiny artists, you will see ice dancers, magicians, acrobats, jugglers, fakirs, trapeze artists, fancy divers, fighters, clowns and animal-tamers. Also showing: Norwich Puppet Theatre’s own production, The Selfish Giant; and in January Pickled Image come to town with Houdini’s Suitcase. Email info@puppettheatre.co.uk or see www.puppettheatre.co.uk 

OBJECTS DART

Objects Dart have had a cracking 2007 – three new shows (Jabulani and the Hungry crocodile, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and Little Red Riding Hood), three international festivals, one revival of a show from 2006 on the request of several bookers, and also...oh yes, old red nose continues to be popular. Objects Dart toured to three international festivals – Bath, Buxton and Cape Town – and continue to tour to venues such as Lauderdale House, Trinity Arts Centre and Chat's Palace, adding some new venues to the mix, including the Blue Elephant, the Warehouse in Croydon and Artsdepot. Plans for next year include another artist in residence spot at Darell Primary school in Richmond as part of their book week. New shows are to include a very funny Russin folk tale all about salt (which will emerge from a picnic hamper filled with gorgeous culinary articles). See www.objectsdart.info

OILY CART

In association with Warwick Arts Centre, this Christmas Oily Cart will be reviving the critically acclaimed If All the World Were Paper. Following a five-week run at Warwick Arts Centre the show will tour to UK venues throughout January and February 2008, visiting Warwick Arts Centre (Coventry), Clwyd Theatre (Cymru), Salisbury Playhouse, Minerva (Chichester Festival Theatre), Macrobert Arts Centre (Stirling), and The Byre Theatre (St Andrews). If All the World Were Paper is suitable for 2–5 year olds, their families and friends. See www.oilycart.org.uk 

PUPPETS IN ODDS FARM PARK

Loads of puppet events at Odds Farm Park (Wooburn Common, Bucks) this winter. Weekends in November saw farmyard puppet Sing-along, presented on the hour; weekends in December will be enlivened by a festive Christmas Show (every hour on the hour 11am–3pm); and in January (dates to be announced) there will be a holiday puppet-making pantomime. See: www.celebration-times.co.uk 

PUPPET STATE WIN ECO AWARD FOR CREATIVITY

Richard Medrington and Rick Conte of Edinburgh-based Puppet State Theatre Company have just been presented with the Eco Trust’s Eco Award 2007 for Creativity at a ceremony in Glasgow. Their adaptation of Jean Giono’s The Man Who Planted Trees, designed and directed by Ailie Cohen, has been touring all over the UK and was part of the recent Baboró Children’s Festival in Galway. They have now done over 300 performances and had a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2007. They will be touring throughout 2008 and appearing at the Unicorn Children’s Theatre in London 8-27 April. www.puppetstate.com

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

At the Barge this Xmas/New Year: Mr Rabbit Meets Brer Santa, a seasonal delight for both young and old, featuring the mischievous wit of Brer Rabbit (dates in December/January); Red Riding Hood and the Wolf Who Tried to Eat Her, a specially commissioned work by Deborah Jones which adds a new twist to the tale (dates in January - March); Captain Grimey, the story of the dirtiest, most miserable, one-legged sea captain in the world (opens March 2008); and The Three Pigs and the Wolf, a witty rendering of the popular tale complemented by specially commissioned music and script (opens March 2008). For full dates email puppet@movingstage.co.uk or see www.puppetbarge.com

SCOTTISH MASK AND PUPPET CENTRE

The SMPC have had a busy schedule of shows and workshops this season, including Sokobauno Theatre’s Hotel Marionette (17 November), and Folding Theatre Puppet Company’s Singing Ringing Tree (24 November). Future workshops include an Animal Shadows Workshop with Mousetale Puppets. For details and full listings email info@scottishmaskandpuppetcentre.co.uk  or see www.scottishmaskandpuppetcentre.co.uk  

SHONA REPPE PUPPETS

For the first time in your town, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the magical and glowing world of Olga Volt The Electric Fairy! Step inside, take a seat and brace yourselves for the brightest show on Earth! (Admission to The Olga Volt Spanish Doll Museum free with every ticket.) In the setting of a traditional circus sideshow, Olga Volt The Electric Fairy prepares to dazzle yet another audience — but something is wrong. Olga’s magic powers are fading. What will she do now? Does anyone have a torch? An original and extraordinary story co-created with Charlot Lemoine of Velo Theatre, France and told imaginatively with objects, storytelling, light and shadow. Suitable for ages 5+ and their families. Touring this autumn/winter. See: www.shonareppepuppets.co.uk 

THE MAGIC BOOK THEATRE

In The Giant of the Night, Children’s writer Michele Petit-Jean has turned her epic fable into a magical 40-minute show using shadows and latex puppets and live music. Inspired by the cloud formations at dusk, the story follows the fortunes of a lonely giant who floats above the land casting his shadow so that children can sleep. Funded by The Capital Community Foundation, it is touring nurseries and venues in the borough of Greenwich in November.  Catch the show on 8 March 2008 at Chat’s Palace in Hackney, London. See: www.magicbooktheatre.co.uk

NEWS FROM OTHER ARTS ORGANISATIONS

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL FRINGE 2008

Registration opens for Fringe 2008!  The Brighton Festival is now England’s largest arts festival, and reputedly the third-largest arts festival in the world. Registration for the growing Fringe section is now open and online; event and exhibition organisers simply log on to the website, fill out their details and wait for the brochure to come out. It’s a completely open access and DIY festival, so an event can be anything and anyone can register; all you do is think of what you want to do, secure a venue (we have a fully comprehensive venue directory on the website), register and put it on in May. www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk

LANTERNHOUSE NATIONAL CREATION CENTRE

Lanternhouse is a unique, artist-designed creative environment, with spaces for planning, making, learning, performance and exhibitions, and comfortable accommodation on-site. It is the perfect place for individuals and organisations to develop new regionally and nationally significant work, cultural forms and performance projects. For more details, download the Creation Centre brochure at http://www.lanternhouse.org/create.php, or call Lanternhouse Administrator Dot Queen on 01229 581127.

LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL 2008

The Mime Festival celebrates its thirtieth birthday in 2008. The line-up for the festival includes a lot to tempt those interested in puppetry and animation, including appearances by Teatro Corsario, Nola Rae, Faulty Optic and Pep Bou. See From the Frontline in this edition of Animations, in which Sarah Wright documents her experience of devising Silent Tide, which makes its UK debut at this year’s festival, and in features there’s a preview of ‘living sculpture’ Paso Doble, a collaboration between choreographer Josef Nadj and visual artist Miquel Barceló. LIMF 2008, 12–27 January at various venues throughout London. www.mimefest.co.uk

THEATRE.CZ ONLINE MAGAZINE

Theatre.cz Winter Edition 04/07 is now online! Everything you want to know about Czech theatre, which of course includes puppet theatre, which is a vital part of the theatre scene in the Czech Republic. Here’s the link to the puppetry section:
www.theatre.cz/art/clanek.asp?id=15013

TOTAL THEATRE
Total Theatre is a development agency for contemporary theatre, with a special interest in physical and visual performance (including puppetry and animation!). Amongst other projects, the organisation runs the Total Theatre Awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (previous winners & shortlisted companies using puppetry and/or animation have included Shona Reppe, Kazuko Hohki, Andrew Dawson, 1927, Unpacked, and Blind Summit), and publishes Total Theatre Magazine, one of the few places outside of the specialist puppetry press and support networks where contemporary puppetry and object theatre is taken seriously and reviewed accordingly. For further details and for information on subscribing to the magazine, see the newly redesigned website:

> www.totaltheatre.org.uk

BOOKS, FILMS & MULTIMEDIA

DANTE’S INFERNO has been kicking around the cultural playground for over 700 years. But it has never before been interpreted with exquisitely hand-drawn paper puppets, brought to life using purely handmade special effects. Until now. Rediscover this literary classic, retold in a kind of apocalyptic graphic novel meets Victorian-era toy theatre. Dante’s Hell is brought to lurid 3-dimensional, high-definition life in a darkly comedic travelogue of the underworld – set against an all-too-familiar urban backdrop of used car lots, gated communities, strip malls, and the U.S. Capitol. Populated with a contemporary cast of reprobates, including famous – and infamous – politicians, presidents, popes, pimps… and the Prince of Darkness himself. There are two screenings of the film in London: Saturday, December 1st and Friday, December 14th at 7:30pm. More info at the Horse Hospital's website www.thehorsehospital.com For further info on the project see www.dantefilm.com

FAIRY TALE THEATRE COMPANY

David Moodie’s new book Jemima's Mice is out and is available from all major bookshops, as well as Amazon and Play.com. It is about a Puppet Theatre inhabited by performing mice and is aimed at sevens upwards – but adults are loving it too. See: http://www.fairytaletheatre.co.uk/fairytale/home.html  It is with the deepest sorrow that Fairy Tale Theatre must also announce that Paul Prestidge – who was the company’s Storyteller and Puppet Maker and toured many top theatres in Britain – has sadly died. He is sorely missed.

PUPPET PLANET

Puppet Planet’s Lesley Butler has nearly completed editing a short pilot of a puppet film with the aim of getting a series commissioned. Lesley has worked previously on documentaries for the BBC, and with the series hopes to draw in many different types of puppets and puppeteers. For more updates on the project, watch this space; and for more on Puppet Planet see www.puppetplanet.co.uk