Monday, October 8, 2007

ZEN CABARET: DILL & DIGER: BUBKUS: NO PLACE LIKE HOME

ZEN CABARET
Performed by: Nina Rolle, Liz Stanton, Davina Cohen, Gleason Bauer,
Ashley Hughes
and Jessica Cerullo

This show made my day. It pulled me into their Zen Cabaret world totally. They had me before they even walked on stage. Go see the show to find out why. It is great to see people working together doing fun, on the edge creating engaging theatre.

It is a must see for their total use of sound, visuals, gutsy material, characters, use of props and anything can happen clown theater. Yes I can nick pick on a few details but why bother… this show was too much fun to do that. Oh ya... if you did not notice from their names...all six performers are women.

Go see it. Next ZEN CABARET shows: Thursday October 11, 7 PM and Sunday October 14 at 8:30 PM
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Dill and Diger
Created and Performed by: Camilla Svingen and Margareth Hosoy
Directed by: Peter Daniel Struss
Music by: Lars Sveinung Lid
From: Norway

First the washtub base player, he was wonderful and a great musician. Often time’s performers have recorded music that supports their piece – personally I hate recorded music with clown piece and most of all magic shows. Often times if you take away the music there is nothing there. The music is supporting the whole show because it is great music not because it is great theatre or clowning. Live music with theatre and clown theatre I love. Because it is alive and it gives the performers freedom to do anything and respond to anything and that is the case with this show.

The Washtub base player really made the show for me. He disappeared when the action was taking place and the clowns used him well. The clowning was in their native language. It was wonderful seeing a clown show in a foreign tongue. Their character clowns were strong, the story clear – it was fun. I never checked out the light fixture of the theatre because the show pulled me totally in.

The sad thing is I saw their last show at the NY Clown Theatre Festival. So you now have an excuse to go to Norway to see Dill and Diger. So keep your eyes open and go to those odd shows you know nothing about, especially from foreign countries.
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BUBKUS
Performed by: Jesse Buck
Written by: Jesse Buck and Michael John Dubue
Directed by: Adam Lazaus

High energy – total clowning – nothing is held back by Jesse’s clown. Jesse totally took me into his world totally. I know a good show when I do not start checking out the technical attributes of the theatre. I did not check out the technical attributes. Jesse’s clown totally changed the space with a few pieces of cloth and a toothbrush.

If you want to see the total use of a props see BUBKUS. His story tells is great and different. It is the same vain as many fantasy tale folklore theatre and film piece – only Jesse’s clown does all the parts. He changes to different character but keeping his clown always. I think it is the bloodiest show I have seen in a long time.

If you want to catch this show you’ll have to go to his web site http://www.jessebuck.com/ his last show as part of the NY Clown Theatre Festival was Monday October 8, 2007.
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No Place Like Home
Created and performed by: Rob Torres
Directed by: Avner Eisenberg

Rob has an interesting clown character that really enjoys showing how clever he is using very little. His use of masking tape and simple props is what it seems Rob has concentrated on and he uses props very well. The main thrust of the show is watching how clever Rob’s clown uses his props and how he uses standard bits like the elevator, walking down stairs, turning a towel into a turkey or chicken and various juggling tricks. Rob’s clown creative high points for me was the use of the masking tape. That seemed what he truly enjoyed doing the most.

When using scatology in theatre and especially clowning – you must use it with care. To go through the last half of the show with a big masking tape X over ones privet parts was distracting for me and did not seem to add. Would have like to see a more positive use (or involving) of the audience. Over all it is a clever show.

Would love to see Rob’s clown go beyond being clever. Rob’s clown does it very well, easily and it is totally developed. More personal emotion risk taking would be a joy to see.

Next Shows: Wednesday October 10 at 7 PM

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