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Whalley Range All Stars (United Kingdom)

YE GODS

 

MUSEU DE LISBOA - PALÁCIO PIMENTA

11 and 12 May at 11am and 4pm (Sat, Sun)

 

Portuguese Premiere

FREE ADMISSION

Technique: Object theatre Language: Without words For audiences over: +4 Running time: 30 min.

 

Ye Gods features a model town which occupies a 5m diameter circle... 3 performers tower over the proceedings like gods/figures of fate. They gradually bring this miniature town to life with a witty use of objects that are placed inside buildings and which trigger appropriate sound effects.

 

Church bells ring out, a factory grinds into action, there’s a boozy sing-along in the pub and the local dog’s home can’t stop its inmates barking at the church bells. By the time these three have finished the entire tiny town is humming with noise and life. However, all is not rosy in this world.

 

The 3 performers are not sentimental and are quite willing to undo what they have built up. A scene of destruction inflicted by a rogue weather pattern ensues. All is not lost, something is reborn from this miniature disaster area and thus the cycle carries on.

 

Ye Gods features striking visuals, a vivid sound installation, sardonic wit, random acts of tenderness, eruptions of irresponsibility and a micro-apocalypse courtesy of some weather on wheels.

 

"Sly, funny and surreal performances … the ever-excellent Whalley Range All Stars." - The Guardian

 

BIO

Thirty-seven years of imaginative experiences where you least expect them - Outdoor theatre touring UK, Europe and Worldwide.
Whalley Range All Stars is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s leading street theatre companies, combining visual art with performance to create vivid, imaginative and intelligent productions and installations for outdoor festivals and events.
WRAS was formed in 1982 by Artistic Directors, Edward Taylor and Sue Auty, who had worked together previously in Dogtroep (Amsterdam) and Horse & Bamboo (Lancashire). They set about creating distinctive theatrical events in places least expected; direct, spontaneous contact with a wide variety of audiences, in ways and places which are accessible to everyone; a fresh, funny and fearless approach to street theatre.
Since then, the company has created more than 70 different shows, installations and events, performing to hundreds of thousands of people in 26 countries over 5 continents; in places as varied as the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, a cage in a zoo, a vivarium, a busy Singapore market place, a railway station, a shop window in Melbourne, a derelict cinema, a monsoon festival in Oman, and Wall Street in New York. They have also performed several times at FIMFA, always with great success among the audience of all ages.

"The joy of working outdoors is that you can relate to your audience in so many different ways. There’s still a lot to do."

 

 

CREDITS

Overall design and concept: Edward Taylor, Sue Auty Set design and creation: Bryan Tweddle, with assistance from Peadar Long, Steven Gumbley Music and sound universe: Clive Bell, Matt Wand Performers: Sue Auty, Edward Taylor, Peter Finegan Additional making and painting: Edward Taylor, Sue Auty, Vanessa Card Acknowledgements: Nick Mitchell Support: Arts Council England Development of the show supported by: Boo, Waterfoot e Newbury 101 Creation Space

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