File spoon-archives/puptcrit.archive/puptcrit_2003/puptcrit.0311, message 45


Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2003 14:26:09 -0500
From: John Bell <john_bell-AT-emerson.edu>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Adult-oriented puppetry


         The term "adult puppetry" is always vexing, because it a) asserts 
that theater is necessarily divided into children and adult categories; and 
b) it implies that the normative puppetry is children's puppetry.  Here in 
the U.S., this is in large part the legacy of early twentieth-century 
American puppet theater, which happily allowed itself to be boxed into the 
children's theater mode.  Jim Henson struggled throughout his career with 
this, alternately embracing the children's theater mode (Sesame Street) and 
aggressively asserting alternatives (Dark Crystal and other films, and 
the  primetime Muppet Show).  Peter Schumann ignored the children's theater 
dictum from the start, and his shows continue to be designed for audiences 
of all ages.
         Traditionally, in Europe, puppet theater was for all ages, as a 
look at historical illustrations (for example in Bil Baird's book) will show.
         A further problem is characterizing "adult" interests as focused 
primarily on sex and naughtiness--the legitimate "adult" concerns--as 
opposed to political and social issues, which are often considered quite 
less than legitimate concerns for art. The idea that "adult puppetry" (or 
its even more insouciant sister "adult-oriented puppetry") necessarily 
involves sex and naughty words is now carried into the writing for "Avenue 
Q," even though the most interesting "adult" aspect of that show is its 
take on post-9/11 life in a downsized  U.S.A.  That is to say, the idea 
"adult" or "adult-oriented" puppetry as sex puppetry is quite what we 
expect and assume; the idea that "adult" puppetry, or just any kind of 
puppetry in general, might talk about, say, the current situation in Iraq 
and how we got there, is often considered an outrageous intrusion of 
inappropriate content.

john bell
great small works

At 02:04 PM 11/6/2003, you wrote:
>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
>----------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>   --- Personal replies to: Mathieu <uubald-AT-magma.ca>
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