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Event
The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch
EXTENDED
DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND!
NOW PLAYS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 7, 2008!
Rogue Artists Ensemble
presents the return of the world premiere adaptation of
Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's
"The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of
Mr. Punch"
We all have dark secrets in our past, skeletons in our closet and memories we just can't forget. Mr. Punch is the story of a man who confronts his darkest and most terrifying memories; when, as a boy, he was banished by his parents and sent to live with his insane Grandfather who owned a rundown seaside arcade, where he witnessed murders, babies thrown out windows, crocodiles, the Devil himself, giant talking badgers, car accidents, wives beaten and a singing mermaid who was loved by them all or perhaps it was all just the Punch and Judy show?
"It is easier to take short journeys into the past, remembering in miniature,
tiny puppet plays in our heads."
This world premiere production of The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch returns exclusively to Los Angeles after a successful run at Theatre/ Theater in 2007 and features an updated script with new scenes and effects.
LA Times (Kathleen Foley) picked Punch as a "Best Bet," Critics Choice, AND says:
"the rewritten and recalibrated production is a triumphant fusion of text and technology, as potent a distillation of childhood terror as can be found outside the Brothers Grimm... The amazing design elements set a new standard for sub-99-seat theater... Cawelti brings military precision to this near-faultless production, which, although definitely not for children, might well awaken any adult's traumatized inner child." http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-punch26-2008jul26,0,3403417.story
American Radio Network critic Gerri Garner picked Punch as her Critic's Pick of the Year. "Brilliantly told... a feast for the eyes, don't miss Mr. Punch, our Critic Pick of the Year."
Sharon Perlmutter at Talkin' Broadway wrote: "I'll say this for the Rogue Artists Ensemble's production of The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch: it can set a mood. The show... does a brilliant job of creating that darkened reality with a heightened sense of suspense... The production has moments of poetry and moments of terror (as well as a few moments of both) and it leaves you feeling just a half-step out of touch with the world." http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=29261
Downtown News says [the visuals] are achingly beautiful and eerily frightening. http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2008/07/28/entertainment/entertainment03.txt
LA Weekly says Mr. Punch is "a marvel of expressionistic spectacle." http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_calendar&task=events&searchtab=event&oid=253497&Itemid=571
The maverick Rogue Artists Ensemble, known for an innovative hybrid of theater traditions, puppetry and digital media called "Hyper-theater," brings a dizzying array of visual elements to Mr. Punch that will make audience members feel as though they opened up the graphic novel and wound up trapped deep inside.
(Contains adult themes and imagery; not recommended for young children.)
(Gaiman wrote the screenplay for the recent film Beowolf, Gaiman and McKean worked together to create The Sandman comics ,Henson Pictures' MIRRORMASK and the upcoming film adaptation of their book Coraline)
Adapted for the stage by Sean T. Cawelti with Miles Taber and the Rogues
Directed by Sean T. Cawelti
Featuring :
Don Allen
Tom Ashworth
Sean Eaton
Dana Kelly
Kerr Seth Lordygan
Connor Merkovitch
Matt Ritchey
Nina Silver
Miles Taber
Cari Turley
UPCOMING EVENTS:
** August 29 7pm TALES OF BANYAN will play live before the show. Admission is free with admission to Mr. Punch.
** August 31, join us after the show for a talk back session with the director, actors and designers. Free with admission.
** September 5 7pm, PATRICK EMSWILER will play live before the show. Admission is free with admission to Mr. Punch.
** The walls of the lobby will be filled with art from local artists inspired by the project's carnival setting. All artwork is curated by the Rogues and will be available for purchase. The Punch and Judy puppet exhibit also located in the lobby will features puppets from the Conservatory of Puppetry Arts (www.copa-puppets.org/) showing Punch and Judy's over two-hundred year history.
Free parking is available across Beverly at Praise Christian Fellowship, 2235 Beverly Blvd, entrance on Roselake Ave.
The Bootleg is wheelchair accessible. Contact tickets[at]rogueartists.org for arrangements.
Strobe lights and a fog machine are used briefly during the performance.
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LocationBootleg Theater
2220 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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Contact
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