Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2002 16:09:45 -0400
Subject: Re: PUPT: Olive Blackham's Experimental Theatre



Blackham's mention of Alfred Kreymbourg is very interesting; he seems 
essential to the early 20th-century puppet movement, as well as to early 
20th-century art theater in general.  Many of his plays were done by the 
Provincetown Playhouse (and so, I believe, Remo Bufano may have been 
involved).  Also, I first heard about Kreymbourg when Bernice Silver showed 
me some of his 1930s political plays which were performed in New York by 
Theatre Advance.

john bell
great small works

At 05:39 PM 6/27/02 -0400, you wrote:
>Thank you Ray for typing this in.  It is wonderful to know what puppeteers 
>were doing during the first puppetry renaissance.  A remarkable lady indeed.
>
>Mary Robinette Kowal
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:dasilva-AT-puppetbooks.co.uk>Ray DaSilva
>To: 
><mailto:puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu>puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu 
>
>Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 4:42 AM
>Subject: Re: PUPT: Olive Blackham's Experimental Theatre
>
>For anyone interested in this remarkable lady and an insight into puppetry 
>going on in the 1920's I have copied the following from a handwritten 
>Roneo-duplicated sheet the following.
>"The Ark
>A Private Experimental Theatre
>Second Year 1927-1928
>To prevent any misunderstanding, we feel that it cannot be too clearly 
>stated that the Ark is not run merely to entertain; it is a puppet theatre 
>workshop, or studio, where we can experiment in every form of theatre 
>activity in miniature. It is the outcome of a revolt against the cramping 
>conditions the modern playwrights have imposed upon theatre and against 
>spiritual weariness their fare induces. We are experimenting with puppets 
>in the belief that they can lead the way to a more beautiful and 
>satisfying theatre. We invite an audience occasionally to test the results 
>of our experiments and also to provoke interest and discussion, and we are 
>beholden to all who bring to our shows those interested in the art of the 
>theatre.
>The results of the last few months work can be seen at the Ark on 10, 12, 
>14 16 of December at 7.30 when the same play "Lima Beans" by Alfred 
>Kreymbourg will be given in three different ways, (1) by the puppets 
>themselves (2) by human actors who have not seen puppets (3) by human 
>actors influenced by puppets. . . . . .
>A GRUMBLE ! It will hardly be disputed that physical comfort is a helpful 
>condition for the full appreciation of a play, and we think that the 
>audience might be a little kinder to themselves in this respect than they 
>have been hitherto. The Ark is small and consequently the number of seats 
>is not large. Due consideration of these facts should lead them to let us 
>know as soon as possible, the day they wish to come and the number of 
>seats they will require. Having made their decision known, let them 
>carefully guard themselves from all accidents in order to be able to keep 
>their appointment, but not in their zeal, arrive with twice the number 
>arranged for. Only thus can we ensure their comfort and our own sanity. 
>Admission will only be by programme 1/6d, obtainable from Miss O. D. 
>Blackham, 10 Melton Road, King's Heath, or any other member of the 
>theatre. No one can be admitted without a programme for fear of 
>overcrowding. Door open 7.10, Close 7.30. Performance 7.30 - 9.0"
>Ray DaSilva
>email  <mailto:dasilva-AT-puppetbooks.co.uk>dasilva-AT-puppetbooks.co.uk
>  Website  <http://www.puppetbooks.co.uk>http://www.puppetbooks.co.uk

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