Wo? Wenn nicht alle da! / That’s the Way to do it!
This was a festival dedicated to a true European.
He pops up all across the continent, and possesses such an extraordinary ability to absorb distinctive regional traits that everyone claims “He’s one of us!” But actually, he’s a very widely traveled master of amusing mayhem whose roots extend throughout Europe and beyond. His name is Kasperl (Austria), Kasper (Germany), Mr. Punch (UK), Pulcinella (Italy), Vitéz Lázló (Hungary), Guignol (France) and Don Cristobal (Spain), to cite just a few.
This cheeky little headbanger is actually a centuries-old theatrical tradition. But because long traditions have a tendency to get venerable, stiff and awkward, Linz09 commissioned four companies—maschek (Austria), Guyla Molnàr (Hungary/Italy), Hans-Jochen Menzel (Germany) and Neville Tranter (Australia/Netherlands)—to each design a Punch & Judy Show expressly for the Capital of Culture. You might say that the intention was to put the quarrelsome cudgel-swinger to the test and find out whether he can still dish it out, or if his brand of lusty anarchy just doesn’t strike the right note anymore.
These four productions were the core of the festival. Arrayed about them was an interesting selection of plays, each with its own take on the fascinating tradition of this genre and each bringing in it own fresh, poetic, critical, contemporary approach to theatrics.
Almost 2,000 theatergoers came to enjoy the funny, bizarre and occasionally morbid antics of this chameleon-like grand old man of the theater.
WHAT // Theater festival
WHEN // November 11-21, 2009
WHERE // Hafenhalle09
Thomas Ettl (AT): THE PUNCH MACHINE
THE PUNCH MACHINE: How come the characters which television or the newspapers bring into our homes increasingly remind us of grotesques like Hanswurst, Bernardon or Punch? Why do the politics of state so often resemble a tiny Punch and Judy show? Why – even though the personnel changes on a regular basis – do we keep seeing the same old wooden heads? The answer is shockingly simple: Because it is a Punch and Judy show. It really is! All these spongers, jobsworths and supposed men of the people acting out their lives in front of us are just made up characters. Punch and company put on masks and offer us little minidramas. Because sometimes people need a bit of pleasure so they don’t die of crying in this sad world where misery and deprivation come and go as they please. But don’t worry, it’s just theatre and that means there’s a happy ending – somehow...
Regie & Spiel// Thomas Ettl
WHEN // 12 November 2009
WHERE // Hafenhalle09 Studio
Category: Festival, Theatre
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