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
Lutz Großmann (DE): PUNCH DEAD – THE END OF HUMOUR?
PUNCH DEAD – THE END OF HUMOUR? A hand puppet play on the border between life and death.
Tritratrallala – Is everybody there? That’s how good old Punch & Judy plays used to begin in the good old days. That was then, because dark forces have combined to form a terrible power with only one aim: no more Tritratrallala. They have chosen a good time, because Punch is in a bad mood and plagued with doubt. A vicious knot of intrigue has been woven, which Punch can only escape if he can harness his original powers and break the curse of the pre-written text. Because when death is writing the script, then life becomes difficult...
Lutz Großmann, a trained musician and puppeteer, works as a puppet maker and solo performer at a number of theatres, drama schools and with various companies.
WHEN // 17 and 18 Nov 09
WHERE // Hafenhalle09 Studio, 9 pm
Category: Festival, Theatre
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