October 8, 2007
UNDER THE SKIFF
Conception and Scenario by: Maja Bieler & Jennifer Sargent
Devised by: Maja Bieler, Jennifer Sargent, Audrey Lamarque and Iciar Terspaderne
Set, Sound, Costumes & text by: Maja Bieler & Jennifer Sargent
Stage Manager/Sound and Light Board Operator: Jennifer Stokes
Cast: Maja Bieler & Jennifer Sargent
Maja Bieler and Jennifer Sargent have complete clowns. From the moment Maja and Jennifer step on stage they completely transform the brick theatre into their world of an immigration office. The fact they are from two different counties helps this show. What I loved is they took on an issue that is real that many people hear about but never experience. We experienced it. It is a perfect subject for clowns to explore and they explore with great insight and joy pulling you emotionally through out the show. Yes it is hysterical. It is always good to laugh at real life tragic situation and suddenly realize we are all in the same boat or boats.
The use of paper is artistically used and it is used in a very healthy clever positive way, with out being clever but necessary. The show starts when you walk into the theatre before the clowns even take the stage. This is an important show for clowns that are putting together a show to see. I was engaged from beginning to end – it dealt with a real subject, it is theatrically, the theatrical arch is there, movement of the show and clowns was great, their voices and sound are used well an integral part of the show and it was performed with clown joy. Under The Skiff is True Total Clown Theatre.
One side note; often sound and voice is used by us movement clown people - but our bodies and emotional gymnastics are in much better shape than our voice and use of sound. Under The Skiff as well as Zen Cabaret are both good examples of sound used well. Sound is an important part of clown theatre. In workouts do not forget to work on your voice and sound. It needs to be explored in the same way one explores the use of props or gags.
Under The Skiff is another…one of the best shows in the NY Clown Theatre of the festival.
UNDER THE SKIFF has two more shows – Saturday October 13 at 5:30 and Sunday October 14th at 7 PM, you do not want to miss this one.
By: Stanley Allan Sherman
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1 comment:
Hi Stanley,
Jenn Stokes here. I'm the stage manager for "Under the Skiff." Personally, I think Jenny and Maja are brilliant however I am a bit bias. Yet, I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it and if they didn't make me laugh-out-loud every single time I watch them play. Also, I would like to let everyone know that the show is at 5:30 on Saturday!!! They are also playing in tonight's cabaret at 10:30pm. See you at the theater!
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