Lorgnette / Théâtre du Sursaut

// solo clown et marionnettes
"Post-scriptum"

 Le Théâtre du Sursaut
Présent
Lorgnette In "Post-scriptum"

A visuel show
Any public as of 7 years
Burlesque and marionnettes
Duration:40 minutes

A board fence larded with finds for a setting.
A disrupted “Little Red Riding Hood” for a script.
That’s enough to make Lorgnette exultant. She plays at being amazed, taking us into her personal world full of inventions, knick-knacks and mood swings...
Little Red Riding Hood is a capricious child and Grandma is not exactly easy-going, but the Wolf is the real thing.
A Wolf as fierce as one could wish, thanks to Lorgnette’s best efforts.
Funny faces, an extravagant acting, surprises, this is what “Post-Scriptum” is made of.
A visual, absurd and offbeat performance.

First-prize winner of the 2007 European Puppet Festival in Gent.
“The mainspring of this creation is the desire to work with the absurd.
Choosing this tale as a starting point enables us to fantasize. The story is completely messed up, but since it is so well known, old and young really appreciate the process used. The spectators have to put 2 and 2 together, and that is a very important aspect of the show.
They take part in Lorgnette’s way of thinking and savour her ellipses.
Everyone can feed on the burlesque and develop one’s imagination.
In that sense, the stagecraft is a founding element in “Post-Scriptum”.
The show is punctuated with effects of surprise and impertinent interpretations of the original tale.
We discover Lorgnette’s perception of the world, her sarcastic and provocative personality. The whole performance is offbeat and naive». Hélène Pirenne

Who is Lorgnette?

Lorgnette welcomes the audience. Her body and onomatopoeias indicate the mood she’s in.
She cultivates with her hosts a most peculiar relationship, a combination of tenderness, expectation and friendliness… She badly wants to meet her audience but things have to happen as she imagines them.
Her pride calls the tune but things get a bit out of control.
Lorgnette is fond of allusions: they abound and punctuate the show.
She involves the spectators in her story, she loves to surprise, shock and provoke them, for Lorgnette is impertinent above all!
Trinkets and old rags are Lorgnette’s playmates. Puppets, makeshift, and trifle make up a poetic universe that offsets her character. Deep down she is very naive.

Her own peculiar logic is slowly revealed…

Artistic Approach of the Company

Our theatre is non-speaking. We are looking to find how a gesture, a movement, an attitude, a mimic and sound can replace words.

We endeavour to give the priority to the performance bringing the spectator towards the imaginary through the body and images as principal tools.

These non-realistic universes offer the audience a different approach to laughter and emotion.

The puppet, the mime, the mask, the clown, the movement offer us a multitude of possibilities that we explore.

We are looking to find how at the heart of ‘burlesque’ we can create a shared experience for both children and adults, where all can find enjoyment.

Caractéristiques

Technical requirements - Outdoors
« Post-scriptum » by Lorgnette

Length:

Duration: 40 minutes (possibility of two performances per day. We recommend one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Indeed, as the night falls, the show takes on a different hue in the artificial lighting.)

Audience numbers:

up to 250 standing – to be discussed if seated

Show space:

Intimate: needs 5 m in width and 4 m in depth, on stable and non slippery ground.
“Post-scriptum” is a visual show, this demands for the audience to be facing the set or set out in a slight arch facing the set.
Although Lorgnette does take the time to place her audience, some spaces make her job easier such as courtyards, small squares, gardens, recesses, … .

 “Post-scriptum” needs a place where it can be heard. It will be necessary for this space to be protected from noise pollution such as passing cars, street musical bands, playgrounds, walkabout shows, …
A backdrop wall is necessary in order to prevent any passage behind the set during the show.

Stage to be at ground level with the audience.
We suggest you prepare chairs and benches for part of the public. Lorgnette will distribute small carpets. This will offer an audience space spread over three different levels, ideal for all the audience to have a good visibility.
It is possible to install seating steps as long as they stay close to the set.

Lorgnette greets the audience and tells them where to stand/sit. This is an integral part of the show, and an essential foretaste of what is to follow.

The audience should be close to the performer. An ideal distance of 50cm (20 inches) should be kept between the edge of the carpet defining the performance area and the first row of spectators.
Even though there can be as much as 250 audience members, it is essential that this requirement be met. People in the last row should be able to see or read the small props and signs.
If there are more than 11 metres (about 12 yards) between the performer and the last row, visibility is no longer guaranteed.

Please do not hesitate to try it in your own venue in order to determine how far the last row of spectators should be.

Get-in + Get out :

Estimate 1 our 30 for setting up and 1 our for taking down

Attention: The actress needs 15 min before performing to install puppets and props.

Make-ready time in cabin (make-up and heating): 1:30

The set structure is a wooden wall resembling a paling fence and a carpet which defines the performing area. Ideally the set will stay in place between shows.

Car access is to be foreseen so that the actress may bring and take away her set.
If for an organisational or/and security reason this car access is not possible, the performer will require some help at her arrival and departure to carry her equipment.
The performer is however completely independent in setting up and taking down her set.

Sound equipment:

We are totally autonomous in terms of sound. The soundtrack is not loud and does not run throughout the “Post-scriptum” show. However, a sound check will be needed beforehand to determine the appropriate volume level for the chosen venue. The sound check is already included in the estimated set-up time. Depending on the venue, a clip-on microphone may be necessary (we have one). Electrical connection: 16 A.*

Lighting:

we have 2 halogen floods on stand to provide full coverage. This is very basic lighting. 16A* electrical connection required.
If at all possible, we suggest basic full up with 4 or 6 spotlights.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any question.
*We have weatherproof extension cords up to 70 m long (about 75 yards).
In case the show should be moved indoors, the organiser must provide a blacked-out venue.

In case of light rain, Lorgnette can perform if her props are protected a minimum by a covered courtyard, a small marquee tent or something to this effect.
The performer will be equipped of a waterproof cover with which she will need help.

Depending on the show schedule and the place of performance, the performer will be able to estimate alone if she requires help from a member of the organisation (supervision) during and between shows. Do not hesitate in contacting me if we should need to discuss such a help together.

Musical rights:

here the reference of the music employed in “Postscript” and claiming rights to load of the organizer:
-René Aubry, extrait tiré de l'album : La Révolte des Enfants, plage 1, durée de l'extrait : 2'47''

If for any reason one of the requirements on this technical sheet is not understood, do not hesitate in contacting me in order to best figure out together what are the best conditions to receive “Post-Scriptum”.


Price for one show per day: 1200 euros / indoor or street.
For two shows : 2000 euros.
Charges journey (departure of Bruxelles) and SACD /SACEM (royalties) are not included.

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// solo clown et marionnettes Lorgnette / Théâtre du Sursaut "Post-scriptum"