Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 14:04:25 -0500
From: Mathieu <uubald-AT-magma.ca>
Subject: PUPT: Adult-oriented puppetry


Hi pupt-critters!

Following the sudden "interest" in adult puppetry on the list...

The term "adult" seems to suggest "mature audience", for reasons such as
pornography, violence, improper language, etc. I wish there was more detail
when people advertise their shows as "adult-oriented", to be sure to reach
as many people as possible.
Maybe we should all develop the habit of calling the company up front,
before buying a ticket, to get a better idea of content.
Shouldn't we apply the same rating system as for movies?
Are the movies rated buy an official authority?

I'm no hyper strict censor, I rather think rating a show tells people more
about what we are getting into.To really mis-quote Marie Antoinette, "Let
them see porn", if that's what they want, and as long as they are of legal
age...

I am working for a puppet company which only produces shows for adults,
Kobol Marionnettes.
 If you ask me, the shows they produce are directed at an adult (we should
say older) audience, because the subject matters are a little more complex.
They deal with the realities of life, may they be joyful or tragic. In the
first show I helped create, there was:
-the joy of raising a family
-the burden of life's responsibilities(study, debt, work, family, growing
old,etc)
-Insomnia
-the ravages of time, growing old, and how little time we have
-Loneliness in a crowd and in a big city
-appreciating life through the simple things,
-the absurdity of fighting for territory
-sexual orientation
The show is called ILo.

Their previous show, EKO, contained some tasteful "Artistic nudity",
references to poverty, drugs and homelessness.

If you only read this, it may seem that their shows are rather heavy.
Part of the magic of Kobol Marionnettes is that they can talk about
anything and still enchant and entertain you. Everybody leaves the show
with a feeling of marvel and an open mind.
Some young children attended the show, and still loved it.

Today I signed the contract for the new show!
It is called "Jolis Deuils", which means "Beautiful mourning"(I'll tell
them about the word play in english).
It's all evolving around death, fluctuating between the realms of macabre
and humoristic.
 Still in developpement, but there will be tasteful nudity, some blood and
a gun (where appropriate, no free violence involved)

What is the most fun and exciting about this project, after the incredible
text, is the fact that they aim at a visual result for the puppets "which
would not please to a child", quoting the director's words.
All puppets will show some form of imperfection, damage from time and life,
distortion, dirtyness.
Some puppets will come close to gore!

Happens right on time. I was starting to feel trapped by candy coated fuzzy
feelings from creating more "commercialy viable" products. I was worriedof
getting trapped doing pretty things for kids.
Nothing wrong with that, I AM a kid! But as long as I can get out of it
when necessary.

I have to go now, I have many tragically-funny characters to develop in
sketches!
I'm so excited!






----------------------------------------------
Mathieu RENE, CREATURISTE
Marionnettes, masques,  etc.
Puppets, Masks, etc.

http://www.magma.ca/~uubald

uubald-AT-magma.ca
Montreal, Canada
(514) 725 - 5821
----------------------------------------------




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