SÃO LUIZ TEATRO MUNICIPAL - Sala Mário Viegas
17 and 18 May at 9pm (Terça e Quarta)
Portuguese Premiere
17 and 18 May at 9pm (Terça e Quarta)
Portuguese Premiere
Direction: John Nicholson Performers: Dik Downey, Adam Blake Concept and script: Dik Downey, Adam Blake, John Nicholson Set design: Pickled Image, Emma Powell Puppet making: Dik Downey, Emma Powell Props and objects: Emma Powell Composer and sound: Simon Preston Costume: Linda Anneveld Lighting design and technical solutions: Jan Erik Skarby, Marianne Thallaug Wedset, Onela Keal Technician and PR design: Onela Keal Film maker and photography: Adam Laity Creative producer: Vicky Andrews Production: Pickled Image, Nordland Visual Theatre Supports: Arts Council of England, Nordland Visual Theatre Technique: Puppets and objects Language: English For audiences over: +16 Running time: 70 min.
Coulrophobia: Two Clowns Trapped in a Cardboard World…
Dik and Adam are traditional clowns in a very untraditional situation. They somehow find themselves in a world where everything is made of cardboard: chairs, tables, a lift, musical instruments and even a boat. They have no idea why they are here or what they are supposed to be doing; only that their actions seem to be beyond their control, almost as if someone else was making them perform against their will. Through a series of outrageous sketches, involving slapstick, mime and much audience participation, the two clowns discover that they are indeed trapped in this cardboard world and being controlled by an evil presence: the diminutive yet terrifying Poco the Clown. The only way to escape their dilemma is to dupe two members of the audience into taking their places. Will this be possible? That depends on how persuasive they can actually be…
Dik and Adam are traditional clowns in a very untraditional situation. They somehow find themselves in a world where everything is made of cardboard: chairs, tables, a lift, musical instruments and even a boat. They have no idea why they are here or what they are supposed to be doing; only that their actions seem to be beyond their control, almost as if someone else was making them perform against their will. Through a series of outrageous sketches, involving slapstick, mime and much audience participation, the two clowns discover that they are indeed trapped in this cardboard world and being controlled by an evil presence: the diminutive yet terrifying Poco the Clown. The only way to escape their dilemma is to dupe two members of the audience into taking their places. Will this be possible? That depends on how persuasive they can actually be…
"I haven’t laughed so hard since I saw Flåklypa Grand Prix (a Norwegian animated film) as a seven year old, and I almost got sad when it all was over." - Even Biering-Strand, Våganavi
"Coulrophobia – fear of clowns” is one of the sickest things I have seen on a stage. It is an unrestrained display of theatrical madness I can promise you have never experienced before." - Five on the Dice
"Pickled Image’s two super clowns took it all out. Literally." - Kristian Rødvand, Rana Blad
Formed in 2000, Pickled Image is specialised in puppetry for live performance and theatre. Since its inception the company has gained international recognition and numerous awards for their darkly humorous visual productions.
The directors of the company are Dik Downey & Vicky Andrews. Dik has entertained audiences in various guises from fire-eater, escapologist, clown and puppeteer. He worked with the acclaimed Green Ginger from 1994 to 2003. As an experienced and highly talented designer and puppet maker, Dik has created all of the company’s most striking puppets. Most recently he created the stunning Great White Shark for Mark Bruce Company.
Vicky trained as a sculptor, illustrator and theatre designer and has been involved in designing shows for venues such as Bristol Old Vic, Bath Theatre Royal and the Welsh National Opera. Her artistic skills are intrinsic to the creative process as performer, maker, producer and administrator to the company.Coulrophobia Teaser Trailer from Pickled Image on Vimeo.
