File puptcrit/puptcrit.0712, message 77


From: jon green <puppen-AT-mac.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:41:32 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] SOM- defying gravity


I thought the gimmick of having the puppets exit vertically was over  
used  as well*.  Indeed, one of my problems with the direction was  
the amount of schtick that was imposed on the production rather than  
supported by the text.  Some of it was for a cheap laugh-  when "Max"  
drops in, he literally drops in.  Some, I am sure was to keep the  
littlest ones amused- during "How do you solve a problem like Maria",  
a wasp terrorizes the nuns for comic affect.  This has nothing to do  
with the scene except for a loose reference to the line "... drive a  
hornet from its nest."  Conversely, the quiet scenes that one would  
expect not to work in a marionette production were quite strong.  I  
particularly liked the "Landler" scene.  One of the surprised for me  
was that having the "Mother Superior" played by a human worked so  
well.  There were gentle little moments such as when she adjusted the  
train of Maria's wedding dress or when she gentle place the youngest  
daughter on the Captain's shoulders for the mountain climb.  Another  
bit that sounds stupid on paper but worked was each time the Maria  
marionette was replaced with one in a different costume, the puppets  
would pass and acknowledge each other.  It made keeping track of the  
character much easier.

* Conversely, one of the more amusing moments in "The Magic Flute" is  
when two marionettes act as stage hands and bring out a set piece.

Jon
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