ARCHIVE SEASON 17 ARCHIVE | October 2004	review

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Wake for the Dark Poet: The Antonin Artaud Project
presented by The VORTEX Repertory Company & Go Bella Works

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Winner of Three B. Iden Payne Awards, Outstanding Ensemble Performance: Betsy McCann and Melissa Vogt; Large Puppet Design: Ann Marie Gordon; Outstanding Production of a Drama

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Based on the work of early 20th-century French theorist and artist, Antonin Artaud, Wake for the Dark Poet springs from his profound legacy on experimental theater, creating a journey through worlds of fright, wonder, majesty, circus, and memory. Wake for the Dark Poet provides both a celebration of Artaud’s concepts (Theater of Cruelty, Theater and the Plague, Actor as Athlete of the Emotions) and a dream-like, biographical landscape.

Puppets, masks, shadows, light, scent, and sound integrate with actors to create a universe unto itself. A remarkably unique theatrical event, Wake for the Dark Poet envelops the spectators in mystery, excitement, and passion. Conceived and directed by VORTEX Associate Artistic Director Heather Barfield, Wake for the Dark Poet integrates pieces of Artaud’s writings and plays with biographical information and experimental techniques to create an original, startling, moving, and memorable theatrical event.

Featuring: Scott Daigle as Antonin Artaud, Delany Liming as Anais Nin,
Betsy McCann and Melissa Vogt as Cici and Poko, with Jeremy Pippin,
Errich Petersen, Nicole Trumble, and Gabriel Maldonado.

Puppets and marionettes designed by Francesca Marquis and Heather Jarry.
Masks created by Leonard du Castel
Scenic design by Ann Marie Gordon
Lighting design by Brian S. Davis
Sound design by Chad Salvata
Costume design by Aerin Holman
Director/ Navigator Heather Barfield
Photo by Kenneth B. Gall

More Information:
The AA theatrical experiment with live performers and real experiences that are sure to be mythic and cruel, majestic and mysterious, weird and funny--like a train ride to limbo. Presented by Go Bella Works. Visit http://gobella.home.texas.net for production information and Artaud links.

Interview in Xlent: 'Wake for the Dark Poet' wants to creep you out in the Artaud tradition