Adult Theater
"The Anatomy of Melancholy"

"The Anatomy of Melancholy" is an anthology of writings written by Robert Burton in 1621. It has been called 'the bedside book' par excellence - nearly 1000 pages full of Rabelasian humor and malicious satire, drawing from fact, fiction and folklore from every field of knowledge. It has delighted and inspired for centuries.

We have used the structure of this fascinating and entertaining anthology as a backdrop to contemporary and universal images brought to life on an abstract set of steel towers with moveable set parts. Four puppeteers are dressed in black, Bunraku style, but keep their faces visible to interact with their puppets. A narrator acts as story teller.

The performance begins with a visual pun on its title, as well as a comment on modern life: our central Everyman character wakes up one morning to discover he has a hole in his belly. He looks at his puppeteer and swears. He looks at his puppeteer, seeking an answer. They search for the hole. Thus begins his and our journey through the 'Causes' and 'Cures' of melancholy.

Primarily non-verbal, images become the defining element of the piece. A leaf separates from its tree in autumn and floats gently on the breeze as a woman attempts to touch it. The 'thoughts' of an agitated puppet come pouring out of his head in the form of long, colorful streamers. A puppet agonizingly heaves a red ball up an incline, only to have it roll back down the slope to the bottom.

Stunning multimedia projections are used throughout. Two projection screens flank the set, sometimes displaying the titles of segments, sometimes setting a mood. As one reviewer put it, " More often they become breathtaking works of art themselves. In one spectacular image, a burning red sun rises on one screen only to set on the other screen in perfect synchronization. In another, the screens erupt with loud static and then flash a quick video montage of 21st century horrors."

This is a theatre piece breaking boundaries. Humor and wit join pathos and grit to provide one of the most stunning nights of theatre you are ever likely to see!

This show is now available for booking. Contact us for further information.