Event

Theater Grottesco's THE OTHER

Theater Grottesco presents THE OTHER, the company's 17th original production, March 19th April 12th at the Swan Theatre in the Rufina Arts District.

THE OTHER is a companion piece to last falls production of DIFFERENT, a second structured improvisation. The company continues its research into ensemble, this time handing physical and vocal structures to a family of Buffoons who will recount their own whacked versions of fairy tales.

Buffoon is a little known style inspired by Medieval leper colonies and ships of fools, where those who were different were cast out from society. The legend goes they found each other, one by one, in the forests or on the waterways, and formed their own strange societies, reflections of our own.

These people have nothing to lose. They are the Kings Fools, the only ones permitted to speak truth to power. Of course, they have to be very careful. If they go too far it could be fatal.

Like DIFFERENT, THE OTHER cast will work without memorized text or choreography. Who tells each piece of a fairy tale, how the details are added, and how the powerful Grottesco physicality weaves it into something that might be considered a musical composition, is something that will be different every night and can only be experienced live.

In Grottescos world of physical theatre, ensemble is where the actors create moving imagery, like a dynamic painting. They come to know their fellow performers so well that the audience can witness the artistic equivalent of basketballs no-look pass, an antidote for the age of individualism, and a reminder of the magical possibilities of working together and of live theatre.

Performers include Myriah Duda, Susie Perkins, Koppany Pusztai, Danielle Reddick, Susan Skeele, and Ali Tallman under the guidance of Grottescos founder, John Flax.

Strange and unexpected connections to our lives and times leap from the stage in daring bursts, as the Grottesco performers fly without the net of memorized text and rehearsed choreography.