Classic Tales Revived in American-French Collaboration
By D. Kevin McNeir
Sr. Correspondent
& Editor
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| "12th Night Galaxy 4.2" by The Bricklayers Theatre Company |
Chicago has its share of outstanding theater companies - several hundred according to some estimates. So why in the world would theater fans in the Windy City need yet another stage vying for their attention? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that The Bricklayers Theatre Company brings an art that had all but died in American theater - the use of masques. And given the way folks are flocking to their shows, it seems that the many hours of hard work put in by its corps performers are finally paying dividends.
Founded in 2007, the Bricklayers Theatre produces original adaptations of classic texts using influences from the traditional European Commedia dell'Arte and modern mask and has been working with a French theater company - Collectif Masque since 2008 in a unique partnership and ongoing collaboration. |
"I guess what makes us stand out is our connection with our masks," said Matt Trucano, artistic director and a co-founder of the company. "No one is doing productions with masks these days and we have some amazing, handmade, wooden masks that are crafted by Etienne Champion.
And then because of our connection with Collectif Masque we will be bringing some talented people to Chicago from Europe that a lot of folks have never seen before - Barbara Berlovitz who is with the Theatre De La Jeune in Minneapolis and Mariana Araoz and Christophe Patty, both from Collectif in France. And we have Marta Cicionesi, a Swedish set designer who is responsible for "Twelfth Night" - her sets are something to behold. They are like looking at a Salvador Dali painting."
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| "12th Night Galaxy 4.2" by The Bricklayers Theatre Company |
| The action begins on January 28 through February 14 with the Bricks and Mortar Fest at Theatre Building Chicago with two productions: "Twelfth Night: Galaxy 4.2," which is adapted from the work of Shakespeare, and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," adapted from Stevenson. (The two plays will be presented in repertory so check their website for show times; www.bricklayerstheatre.org). |
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| "12th Night Galaxy 4.2" by The Bricklayers Theatre Company |
| "Twelfth Night" returns to Chicago after sold out performances in Minnesota and we are really excited about bringing it back home for its big run," Trucano added. "It has a crazy sci-fi atmosphere with two siblings trapped on an alien planet and details how they find their way to each other. The Jekyll and Hyde piece is one we adapted from Collectif Masque and they have performed it in French and Spanish all over the world. It's a fast-moving production that is great for all ages and is both funny and scary.
Many Chicagoans are familiar with the director of the show, David Zak, who comes to us as a freelance director after working with Repertory Theatre."
The use of masks is actually as old as live theater itself - dating back to the Greeks and Romans. It became popular during the Renaissance period in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries and while enjoying
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a brief period of popularity, is rarely seen today in America. That's what makes Bricklayers Theatre such an intriguing company.
"As an actor, the mask frees you to be something that is completely against who you are while bringing out the good things that are intrinsic about each actor," Trucano said. "It's very transformative for an actor - some say they feel almost naked.
But the thing is, you cannot just give an actor a mask and then point them to the stage. There is an aesthetic that is very particular and special and our six actors have grown with this technique over the last three years.
It takes a certain amount of study and time to understand how to perform the role and then to transmit a message to your audience that is real and true."
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