SOLOIST
With 45 years of career in the theatre, Cañellas, Dean of
the Catalan string-puppeteers, considered by international critics
as one of the most able in Europe, performs as soloist a
compendium of his production for string-puppet theatre and like a
story of a long journey.
With the perspective that gives us the time and experience, we
wanted to recover of some of our previous shows, those scenes and
ideas that worked better with our audience. Not for make a simple
repetition, but with the will to play, to seek new possibilities,
to deepen and keep experimenting, because, when placed in another
context, they open new territories to explore. In conclusion, a
trip by our previous works to recover sensations, ideas,
situations and characters and compose a new puzzle with all those
moments that we liked so much to share and so we thanked the
audience everywhere.
Award to the Best Animation at the "11th. World Festival
of Puppet Art 2007" of Prague, Czech Republic.
Synopsis
Seven funny, poetic, surprising stories, represented with six
different marionettes, one at a time, with a common spirit: the
verisimilitude of real life of the puppets. The actor and puppet
animator acts, plays with them on stage. Sometimes he intervenes
directly, by choice or because he is forced by the situation, in
others he "disappears", in focusing all the attention on the
puppet.
INTRODUCTION WITH MARIONETTE Symbolizes the
discovery of the puppet-string and the beginning of the trip. From
a suitcase, the actor pulls out a chair, after a wooden device
that observes without knowing what it is for. In the meantime,
from inside the suitcase appears a puppet that moves
"autonomously". In his performance, all actions are aimed at
displaying a basic principle of the marionette theater: the
unstable equilibrium.
JOHNNY DANCE, TAP DANCER A classic exercise in
dance where the rhythm is the absolute protagonist.
THE GRANDFATHER MANUEL WANTS TO DANCE ALSO
Reaffirming the illusion of true autonomy of the puppets, the
grandfather interrupts the normal development of the show, forcing
the actor to allow his entry into the scene. An impressive
dialogue based on the interaction of both.
FELIX, THE FIREMAN CLOWN This is the most
circus-like moment, in which the actor becomes the ringmaster and
unintended comedy partner of the puppet.
THE DREAM OF PIERROT A pantomime inspired by
classical ballet where Pierrot tries to catch the stars by all
physical means available to him, until he falls asleep exhausted
and dreaming achieves its purpose.
PEPITA RETUERTO "LA BAILAORA" A flamenco
professional dancer, into an unrestrained "zapateado" with
castanets.
THE GRANDPA SKATER Apotheosis of the relationship
between string-puppet and actor. The verisimilitude of the
proposed theme in the show arrives here at their maximum quota.
The friendly grandfather should learn to skate for actor's desire,
becoming a real reflects of a child.
CREDITS
Author, direction, actor and animation marionettes: Carles
Cañellas
Stage manager and actress: Susanna Rodríguez
Design and construction marionettes and props: Carles
Cañellas, Rocamora Teatre and Col·lectiu d'Animació
Dressmaking marionettes: Rocamora Teatre
VIDEO PROMO
SOLOIST 9min Extracts of the show
FULL VIDEO
SOLOIST Full video
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Festive show of medium format for one actor and six
string-puppets. For all audiences, with versions for children or
families and for young and adults. Indoor or outdoor. Suitable for
air transport (2 pax, 3 suitcases). Available in English.
DURATION: performance: 1 hour / stage set up (theatre-lighting):
2 hours / (open air-no lighting): 1 hour / dismantling:
1 hour
AUDIENCE: from 2 years upward / maximum
recommended capacity 300 people outdoor and until 600 indoor
SCENIC SPACE: can be performed indoor or outdoor
and with or without interval
optimal measures: width: 6m / depth: 6m
indoor: height: 3m / proscenium:
without footlights nor big mouldings on the stage floor front
outdoor: wind-sheltered area / a platform is not
required when the audience is arranged on tiers (banks) or in an
amphitheater, but in case of parterre with more than 150
spectators, we need a podium or elevated stage approximately 80cm.
SOUND: own sound equipment of 500w or connection
to the P.A. of the space on stage
LIGHTING: (indoors or at night) is
needed 6kw of frontal light and 1 backlight semi zenithal near to
back-curtain
CURRENT: power outlet on the stage / potency
2,5Kw/h + lighting

