Insects Cabaret: Dracularium Freak

Insects Cabaret: Dracularium Freak is a show inspired on the old freak shows, in ancient myths of terror and in some characters from Dracula by Bram Stoker.

During the performance we learn that this cabaret was offered by Dr. John Seward to one of his patients and ancestor of this curious family. This cabaret was originally created by the eccentric Renfield, which feeds mostly on insects, and ancestor of a curious family…

A truly museum of curiosities, extremely visual that uses various manipulation techniques.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, a unique opportunity is waiting for you in our cabinet of monstrosities... pardon me... in our ‘Insects Cabaret'!...
We could even speak of a true bestiary with fabulous insects from all corners of our planet... and we will reveal many secrets, you can be sure that you will see things you’ve never seen before!...
Do not miss the opportunity to see the dance of death by an Archimantis Latistyla! A duel of Tabanus Sulcifrons! The oriental dances by Blatta Orientalis and the erotism of the can-can by a group of Titanacris Albipes! Yeah ... sure, we also have a flea orchestra!... We cannot reveal more… But you can be certain that we will haunt your imagination...! Ladies and gentlemen, put your seatbelts and nets, the show is about to start!"

^{"(...) Does anyone remember R. M. Renfield? Bram Stocker introduced us to this curious character in Dracula and the Puppet Company A Tarumba puts Renfield again at the limelight of our attention in Insects Cabaret: Dracularium Freak. And yes, you will even have the lights pointed out in a fantastic dance show, of shaking the skeleton... However Renfield, the original creator of the Insects Cabaret: Dracularium Freak, is just one of the many terrifying charms of this show. Yes, naive people, prepare your children, those in you and the small ones right beside you, for the mortal dance of love (or is it sex, pure, raw, brutal?) of the Archimantis Latistyla. Prepare to feel the most basic emotions in the face of the hot oriental dance of the Blattas Orientalis or the sensuality of the movements (Goddesses, fantastic movements) of a group of Titanacris Albipes.
Sublime. Insects Cabaret: Dracularium Freak is sublime (...). "
-Pedro Rebelo (Browserd, 27th January 2015)}

^{“After having revealed us the secrets of love and eroticism through the Mironescópio, the puppets and small forms by Luís Vieira and Rute Ribeiro invite us to experience the horror and the shivers down our spine. To do that, they summoned a real bestiary of insects, such as the Archimantis Latistyla, a deadly mantis from Australia, or the Tabanus Sulcifrons, one of the largest flies in the world, and which has the peculiarity of needing a succulent blood meal to reproduce itself (...). A show with great humor and creative vitality, served with the brilliance that Tarumba have become accustomed us for more than 20 years.”}

^{-Frederico Bernardino (Agenda Cultural de Lisboa, January 2015)}

The show premiered in 22nd January 2015 at Teatro Taborda and was presented at FIMFA Lx15. A first version in work in progress entitled Insects Cabaret - Dracularium Freak: Episode I was presented at FIMP - Festival Internacional de Marionetas do Porto.

^CREDITS

^{Artistic direction, scenography and construction: Luís Vieira and Rute Ribeiro Puppeteers: Luís Hipólito, Luís Vieira, Rute Ribeiro, Raquel Monteiro / Ana Amorim Lighting and sound design: Catarina Côdea Scenography assistant and make up: Raquel Monteiro Executive production: Daniela Matos Photography: Alípio Padilha Supports and partnerships: Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, EGEAC Company supported by: Governo de Portugal - Ministério da Cultura | DGArtes Technique: Objects, mutants and shadows For audiences over: +12  Running time: 50 min.}