Reader Shares: New Theatre & Production

Christian Nourdin's new toy theatre



Chris says about it:

The base of the theater is just a shoe box...I just I bought the metal corners for suitcases in a general store. I project to play an old french novel "La tour des hiboux" (Owl's tower) from Gustave Aimard.

Aimard was a colorful character who ended up dieing in an asylum - an interesting choice to adapt a work of such a writer for the toy theatre stage...

Chris sent this additional information on May 18, 2010:

More informations about my "shoe box" theater.

About Gustave Aimard - French popular novelist who wrote adventure stories about life on the American frontier and in Mexico. He was the main 19th-century French practitioner of the western novel.

At the age of 12 Aimard went to sea as a ship’s boy and subsequently witnessed local wars and conspiracies in Turkey, the Caucasus, and South America. After taking part in the Revolution of 1848 in Paris, he traveled to North America in 1854 as part of an unsuccessful armed expedition to Sonora, Mexico...

Here are pictures and commentary on its construction.

What's really cool is how Chris designed it to fold all away in the shoe box...here it is, ready to hit the road - a regular traveling roadshow! I'm hoping Chris might share with us a shot or two of a future performance in this theatre...stay tuned.

GSW Toy Theatre Festival

Talk about exciting!

Great Small Works' just announced the lineup for their ninth International Toy Theater Festival running May 30th to June 13th, once again being held at the magnificant St. Anne's Warehouse. The festival's subtitle is very appropriately called "A Colossal Event of Miniature Proportions!"

GSW has been slowly building one of the most world-class festivals anywhere, and it all centers around the wonderful world of toy theatre. I also appreciate that they allow for a wide interpretation within the genre, encouraging not only tradition but experimentation. There is room for both, in my humble opinion.

At front and center this year, is an installation called KAMP...

In Kamp, Holland's Hotel Modern attempts to imagine the unimaginable. An enormous scale model of Auschwitz fills the stage, brought to life by thousands of 3” tall handmade puppets enacting the greatest mass murder in history, committed in a purpose-built city. The actors move through the set like giant war reporters, filming the horrific events with miniature cameras; the audience becomes the witness.

Backstage Cat II

Images by Bill Reynolds
Whiskers is hanging out backstage again. He's very sleepy. He can't be bothered that it's time to change scenery...

For some reason I keep thinking of him as Godzilla Kitty when I see him against this miniature perspective!

Toy Theatre, Life-Sized

I love it! A traveling show that plays against a life-sized toy theatre!

Backstage Cat

This is Whiskers. He is a Maine Coon cat. His new favorite hangout is backstage in my toy theatre.

For some reason both the Wizard of Oz (who's behind the curtain?!) and Snagglepuss ("...exit, stage left!") pop into my head.

John Lennon and Toy Theatre

I've tried to find out more about this image, and what (if any) connection John Lennon had with toy theatre, but haven't been able to track anything down through research (yet...) But if you take a close look, he's got a lot of juvenile drama art on the walls around him. Intriguing...

Exhibit: Worlds in Miniature

A new toy theatre exhibit is coming up this July on the west coast of America...

Toy Theatres: Worlds in Miniature is an exhibit being presented by the Museum of Performance & Design in San Francisco. Right now the website only hints at the exhibition, but more details will be forthcoming in the near future. For now, it's being described as featuring "...21 rare models from seven countries, dating from the 18th century to the present."


April 19, 2010 ADDENDUM: I have found more images here of toy theatres presented by MPD...

Dramatis Personae Catalogue 97

The newest Dramatis Personae catalogue (the premiere source for all things vintage entertainment ephemera, in my humble opinion) is now out - see it here...

Curiouser and Curiouser

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?" Alice in Wonderland

I got a missive from Louise, of Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop today, who had this to say...

Pollock's has been hunting out nonsense for an Alice extravaganza - look online and come in the shop for our selection of toys for children and adult collectors. Pop-up Books, colouring books, sticker books, illustrated books - playing cards, miniatures and hand painted marionettes.

Lewis Carroll was a lover of the Victorian theatre, marionettes and juvenile drama and a Pollock's toy theatre has featured in dramatisations of his most famous story. Pop in and explore our curious world of nonsense. (Even Tim Burton's been in...)

Although I have never been able to visit (yet), I have seen glimpses of it online. Such places are magical and rare. Pollock's is not only a national treasure for England, but (in my humble opinion) an international treasure. Sounds like they're have quite a lot of fun surrounding the renewed interest in Alice due to the new film. Good for them!

The World is Flat

If you'll be in Chicago this weekend, be sure and check out The World is Flat! A Weekend of Toy Theatre...

Sighting: Lark Rise

Seen last week in S03E04 of LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD, this toy theatre was shown in the bedroom of the character of a small boy who was very ill...

Toy Theatre Adaptions

I discovered a blog whose creator has been EXTREMELY talented in creating adaptions of famous literary works, for the toy theatre...simply marvelous!

Panto

In the spirit of Christmas, I offer this link to a video of a 2002 production of Dick Whittington.

Now I fully admit as an American I was totally ignorant of this until recently, but was delighted to watch it. What fun!

Corsican Brothers DVD Reviews

During the recent Thanksgiving holidays in the States, I received the Corsican Brothers DVD in the post. I have finally found the time to view it, and I must say, it was a thrill for this toy theatre novice! It was one of the first toy theatre productions she has ever seen in full, and although nontraditional in presentation (not 'live', etc.), it was a real treat for me.

What are others saying about this particular production? Read on!

...just received my copy of the DVD and although I was concerned about it playing here in Texas, it did, and I might add beautifully. One should also note that this is the full toy theatre script not the cut down version put out by Pollock's in 1974. The extras are great. All together a great job Nigel and well worth the wait.

...If there is anyone in the group who has not seen Nigel Peever's DVD of The Corsican Brothers, run to eBay and buy your copy. I just bought a second one for a Xmas gift. It is that good! A must. Kudos to Nigel and to Peter Baldwin for the excellent intro.

...The Corsican Brothers DVD arrived yesterday. I have watched it tonight and must congratulate you on a very professional production. Walter Elias Disney would have been proud to put his name to such an exciting production. I cannot believe you have only sold eleven copies of this unique DVD; actually you have now sold twelve copies as I have just purchased my second copy. This DVD deserves to reach a much wider audience, not just Toy Theatre enthusiasts.

Short History of Toy Theatre

Aladdin Christmas Production

Louise from Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop in London has written to say that " our Christmas performance of Aladdin is being performed by Joe Gladwin."

Anyone who can get to London to see this performance, I highly encourage them to do so. If any reader makes it to there, I'd love to hear all about it!

Corsian Brothers DVD is Released!

The Corsican Brothers DVD is now out and available on EBay! Rejoice all toy theatre fans (especially those of us who have never seen a live performance and are starved for any kind of recording of one...well, this isn't exactly 'live', but it's the next best thing in my humble opinion.)

Nigel Peevers is the genius behind this production. Nigel is one talented fellow, who is an actor among other talents. Where he finds the time to do all this, I'll never know, but we are the beneficiaries of his toil. Bless you, Nigel...

NEW Dramatis Personae Catalogue!

There is a new Dramatis Personae catalogue out as of today. As per usual, the Dramatis Personae Booksellers have truly outdone themselves. I don't know what their secret is, but they are able to collect the most astounding array of Theatre/Entertainment ephemera I have ever seen, and present them to the world at large to buy and enjoy. I highly recommend you check them out!

Out of the Shadows: Janaki Ranpura

An amazing performer, check out this website about puppeteer Janaki Ranpura...

Little Blue Moon Theatre

I was doing an internet search for my friends, George and Ann Neff, and came across your blog on toy theatre, then followed to your Victorian Sex Machine blog. It seemed like you might be interested in our work, which kind of combines both (in some way.) We do erotic toy theatre. Our company, Little Blue Moon Theatre, began in an aphrodisiac factory 6 or so years ago. I have found that the static nature of toy theatre figures make them perfect candidates for bondage, something I didn't realize until a friend pointed out that most of our shows involve bondage...I realized that they don't move anyway, which makes it perfect for them.

Anyway, just thought you might enjoy looking at our site, since we don't ever seem to get to Fargo.

Best to you,

Michael & Valerie Nelson
Magical Moonshine Theatre