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
CIE. LA PENDUE (FR): POLI DÉGAINE
poli dégaine: Two puppeteers have a particularly effective weapon of hilarity at their disposal: they draw Polichinelle, the most famous puppet in the world and, with unbridled enthusiasm, get ready to perform a show whose exceptional qualities they proclaim. However, just as planned, nothing goes just as planned. Welcome to the hilarious frenzy of a new version of Polichinelle whose wild outbursts provoke an explosive rhythm of roaring laughter from children and adults alike. Because Polichinelle laughs at everything. Death included.
La Pendue, active in both traditional and experimental forms of puppetry, defend puppet theatre as a universal human symbol, presenting dark sides and alter egos in a playful way in order to reach into the inner self.
WHEN 19 and 20 Nov 09
WHERE // Hafenhalle09 Studio, 9.00 pm
Category: Festival, Theatre
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