Form & Genre
Puppetry
Category
In performance, what separates puppets from art objects, or curios hung on a domestic or art gallery wall, is the puppeteer or performer’s ability to manipulate the object and thus bring it to ‘life’.
Video
A film following the street performance Anabasis in Peru. It was an itinerant performance, based on exploiting the connections between the actors and the spectators who they encounter on their way.
Video
This video presentation features playwright and director Oriza Hirata’s
concept of robot theatre. Making Robot Theatre: An interview with Oriza Hirata of
Tokyo-based Seinendan.
Video
Video
The performance marks the occasion of the coronation of the Dutch King William Alexander and Queen Maxima. Jan Klaassen and Katrijn are the Dutch branch of European traditional hand glove puppetry which started with Pulcinella in Italy in the 17th century. Many countries have developed their own traditions, such as Punch & Judy in the UK, Polichinelle in France, Kasperl in Germany, Petroucka in Russia and Don Roberto in Portugal. Frans Hakkemars has given the Dutch tradition a modern twist by placing the booth on top of the front wheel of a bike, so he can replace the booth very easily to perform outside or inside. During the performance he performs around the booth and the bike. In the main part he is sitting on the bike saddle performing Jan Klaassen and Katrijn. He uses modern props, such as a shopping cart and also enacts the essential rude fights in comic and rhythmic percussion with a tyre inflator for Jan Klaassen and a dish brush for Katrijn. Interaction with the public is an essential part of each performance.
Commentary
by McPherson, Katrina
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Practitioner
Phillip Zarrilli, Professor of Drama at Exeter University, is internationally known for training actors using a psychophysical process combining yoga and the Asian martial arts, and as a director.
Category
Masking or decorating the body has always featured in performance, from ancient rituals to Greek theatre, circus clowns and commedia dell’arte to the make-up that turns Broadway performers into cats.