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
Christoph Bochdansky (AT): I JUST ATE A WOMAN
I JUST ATE A WOMAN: A Punch & Judy play about a man according to a woman played by a crocodile. Can all the questions about relationships between men and women be answered in a Punch & Judy play? Other people will ask why, when this relationship is a Punch & Judy play anyway. But they can be quiet! Because appearing on stage are: a flesh-hungry crocodile, who likes eating women, Punch, who wants a wife, and this he really wants, and the Devil who’s most upset at no longer being “the glory of heaven” and is looking for consolation with a giantess. She is big enough for Punch and he tries to steal her away from the Devil. Meanwhile Punch’s cock and the Devil’s heart lead talkative and independent lives. Honestly, it’s enough to take your breath away...
WHEN // 16. Nov 09, 9 pm
WHERE // Hafenhalle09 Studio
Category: Festival, Theatre
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