|
 |
|
 |
Ronnie
Burkett Theatre of Marionettes Dates and Venue 17 November – 17 December 2011, 8pm | Historic Theatre, The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street Reviewer Nancie Ottem |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ronnie Burkett’s view of the world in his latest work, Penny Plain, begins with a series of newscasts reporting the issues that are well known to his audience. Issues like food contamination, health epidemics, over population, food shortages and financial crisis thread through the fabric of Canadian society and form the core on which Burkett’s play hangs. As Burkett’s marionette’s hang from their strings, Canadians are tied to the worry these issues bring into their daily lives. Burkett takes us into a world where civilisation is nearing an end. His clever use of humour and pathos keeps the audience on the edge of their seats for the 1 hour and 40 minute play. Burkett’s fast paced dialogue and the hard ideas contained in it hold the audience in rapt attention. One may not agree with his cynicism but his ideas do provoke interesting debate. Burkett uses his marionettes to give the audience a glimpse of Canadian society. The marionettes turn into
real people during the course of the play. Their mannerisms, subtle
movements and detailed clothing draw the audience into the mood of the
play. The audience can identify with the characters represented on the
stage and marvel at the skill of the puppeteer in bringing these wooden
stringed dolls to life. © 2011 Nancie Ottem |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
