light as a remote village becomes The Last Resort. Strangeface Mask Theatre Company unveil their production at Weston Studio, Millenium Centre on 31st March 2009. For the last four years Strangeface has been running workshops, making masks and performing with its touring company, which has gone from strength to strength with The Last Resort.This darkly comic folk tale is suitable for anyone aged 9 up – adults and young people alike. Described as a vibrant mix of Spitting Image and The Brothers Grimm, this Faustian folk-tale is told with mask, puppet and an original score, played live. The mix of music ranges from folk with an east European flavour, to moments of classical and jazz intermixed with stranger more haunting sounds. You can have a closer look at this musical box for yourself. Part of Strangeface's unique style is to invite the audience onto the stage at the end of the show to have a go with masks and puppets, or just ask a question. During this national tour The Last Resort will be seen in a variety of venues nationally from grand old theatres to village halls and from Launceston, Cornwall to Stornoway, Scotland. The show had an initial run in spring 2008 including dates at Theatre Royal Margate, The Brook Chatham and Trinity in Tunbridge Wells. Press and audience alike praised it’s “wit and originality” comparing the production to the West End puppet hit Avenue Q - “a lovingly created story with live music and an artistic appearance that remains etched on your memory”. “Made the hair on the back of my neck prickle with delight” Total Theatre Magazine Strangeface are now the only dedicated mask theatre company in the south of the UK and their diverse influences include Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas) Terry Gilliam and Eastern European animation. Artistic Director and maker Russell Dean says, "Working with masks and puppets is in many ways like creating a live cartoon. Our audiences respond to our shows in the same way as they might to watching an episode of The Simpsons, enjoying the story on several levels for different reasons”. Russell has previously made masks for Channel 4, The Brits Music Awards, the giant Maggie Thatcher Puppet looming over the musical Billy Elliot in London, Sydney and, soon, Broadway whilst The Guardian described his masks as “shooting straight for the heart”. The show starts at 8pm.Tickets cost £10 or £8 for concessions, there are a limited number of £5 tickets for under 26’s. Please contact the box office on 08700 40 2000 or www. http://www.wmc.org.uk. |
| Wales Millennium Centre web site: www.wmc.org.uk |
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Monday, March 23, 2009 |
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