CMU School of Drama


Friday, February 17, 2012

Misuse of power by a marionette

StarTribune.com: Michael Sommers has again dug into the rich vein of Germanic literature for inspiration. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," which opened last weekend at Open Eye Figure Theatre, bears Sommers' signature old-European patina: intense craftsmanship, a sense of mystery and comprehensive artistry. His eye for detail is unerring, and one always gets the idea he has tumbled the whole show around in his soul many times before giving life to it on stage. His sweat and joy are evident.

2 comments:

K G said...

The idea of a marionette play certainly does sound interesting. There is great power which comes with control of such a puppet - the way they move makes them seem almost human. They have a great potential to portray the emotions brought forth in a piece just through the slightest motion of the hand of the person controlling them. This imagery must be poignant and make for a great show. I am happy to see that even with modern technology, arts dating back so long ago still have their place in the theatre world and as relics of art; a means of telling a story.

AbigailNover said...

I love puppets. I love all kinds of puppets. Marionettes are incredible tools for storytelling and I believe they are underused. Using marionettes have a distinct effect from live actors, but that effect is still compelling. There are some really striking aesthetics that can be achieved through puppetry because of the total control and manipulation that is available in the medium. This goes for a variety of types of theater as well. Puppets are not just for children's theater. It is heartening to read about a successful show that employs puppets as the main storytellers.