It was 2013 when creators Carol Triffle and Jerry Mouawad, Artistic Directors of Imago, began to adapt Beauty and the Beast. Imago will premiere their adaptation La Belle, Lost in the World of the Automaton December 9 through January 8 at Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th. See calendar and ticket prices below for details.
The company's adaptation is based on the original novel written by French writer Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in 1740. Her lengthy version was abridged, rewritten, and published by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756. It is Beaumont's version that was primarily used as inspiration for the plays and films of Beauty and the Beast in the 20th century. Imago has returned to the original version for their inspiration for La Belle.Triffle and Mouawad have taken the story and wrapped it inside a second story set in a 1920s engine room on a steamship sailing on waters somewhere off the coast of Europe. Only two human characters appear, Lady Rose (Justine Davis) and Sam Stoker (Jim Vadala), yet a multitude of puppets, shadows and effects are at the center of the work. Imago created FROGZ, which toured worldwide for over 35 years. "After so many years of mask theatre, it was time for us to take a stab at another genre," says Mouawad.
Lady Rose, a vacationer on the ship, discovers Sam Stoker and his engine room when she escapes a storm. Enamored by the myriad of magical effects Sam has created, Lady Rose soon joins him to play out the story of La Belle et la Bête. Ultimately, Sam and Rose parallel Belle and the Beast and fall in love.
"I don't think we've left any genre behind that we have not romped in - comedic and dramatic theatre, movement, mask, puppetry, shadow theatre, song and experimentation. Imago commissioned three composers-Amanda and Alyssa Payne with their trip-hop sound, and Lydia Ooghe who wrote the opening and closing songs that have a ragtime feel. The creators co-wrote the script with Devin Stinson who is a hip hop artist and contributed verse to the text. "Our goal is to create a moment-by-moment visual playground, keeping the young ones engaged while taking older ones and adults on a visceral and romantic journey. Despite it being a big and long journey for Imago, we hope the show is enchanting and quaint."- Triffle/Mouawad .LA BELLE DATES AND TIMES
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LA BELLE
Lost In the WORLD OF THE AUTOMATON
HOLIDAY FAMILY SPECTACLE!
DEC 9 2016, to Jan 8 2017
IMAGO THEATRE | PO Box 15182, Portland, OR 97293 | Street Address, 17 SE 8th Ave, 97214
This message was sent to newsdesk@broadwayworld.com from:
Imago Theatre | imagotheatre@gmail.com | Imago Theatre | PO Box 15182 | Portland, OR 97293
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