• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Ed Fringe

Petit théâtre de gestes at the Barbican Theatre

January 17, 2018 by Maggie Kelly Leave a Comment

Review of: Petit théâtre de gestes

Reviewed by: Maggie Kelly
Rating:
3
On January 17, 2018
Last modified:January 17, 2018

Summary:

Clever but slightly too subtle puppetry/circus mixup

More Details

Petit théâtre de gestes is what one can only describe as circus in a garden shed. Lauren Cabrole and Elsa De Witte dart around in a dusty, toymaker-esque world, creating tricks and acts on a rather diminutive scale. The humour is wonderfully offbeat, almost Mr Bean esque; quiet, bizarre but hardly challenging – happily comfortable.

Part of the wonderful London International Mime Festival, Bêtes de foire’s lyrical piece has a whiff of the silent cinema about it. Sound and movement intertwine mostly seamlessly in this low-key blend of puppetry and circusry, and the humour trickles out from our thwarted expectation of grand, awe-inspiring feats that usually accompany a circus show. Cabrole brings out a hoop and a lion-tamer’s podium, the drums beat, flourishing gestures are made… and a tiny, black, shaggy dog appears from behind the curtain, completely unimpressed with the theatrics and obviously disturbed from a good nap. The bouncing of around 6 white balls creates an amusing routine for ten minutes, puppetry trapeze artists ‘throw’ each other around the room in slow motion. It’s all very well-thought-out, very clever.

The issue with the piece is that it ends up generating chuckles, rather than out-loud laughter. The relationship between Cabrole and De Witte is remarkable, but almost too subtle for the audience to catch sight of. Looks and sighs disappear in a flash, and the murky (although atmospheric) lighting means we are constantly aware of things we might have missed. Le petit theatre des gestes is made out of shades of beige and cream, small dainty stitches rather than loud, impressive patterns. It plays with silence, shadows and sewing machines in the way elves or garden gnomes might. Petit théâtre, ‘little theatre’, is an apt way of describing the style – the moments of wonder come in slowly-built ebbs and flows; there is nothing really to astonish or amaze.

There is obviously huge amounts of skill involved, but the humble nature of the piece meant restlessness was kicking in once the 60 minute mark was hit. Pretty, yes; thoughtful, definitely – but one wishes there was slightly more to remember when leaving the theatre.

Avatar

Author: Maggie Kelly

Filed Under: Featured, Review Tagged With: Barbican, LIMF, petit theatre de gestes

Join the discussion Cancel reply

NEWS / Living Record launches digital venue at the Brighton Fringe

The Living Record has launched as one of three new digital venues at the Brighton Fringe this summer. The first [Read More]

NEWS / Waiting for Lefty by Two Lines Productions Announce Cast

Clifford Odets’ 1935 agitprop play about cab drivers fighting for fair pay, has been adapted for 2021 and is presented [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene

Launching on this year’s World Earth Day (Thursday 22nd April), Anthropocene: The Human Era is a digital choose-your-own adventure from [Read More]

NEWS / Thick ‘n’ Fast announce new show General Secretary

Who run the world? A satirically comic journey through power and diplomacy as two highly unqualified women are suddenly landed [Read More]

Guides / 5 Tools for Actors to Enter the Theatre World like a Pro

Becoming a successful actor is no small feat. Fortunately, for those interested in improving their acting skills, plenty of tools [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Waiting for Lefty by Two Lines Productions Announce Cast
  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Katy Owen: Auditioning for Oxford School of Drama
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Bull - Young Vic
  • How to Applying for Arts Grants and Funding
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • Is this the real location of Ambridge?
  • A Streetcar Named Desire- A cry of pain- Young Vic
  • The Bacchae - National Student Drama Festival 2015
  • Avatar

    Maggie Kelly
    Author

  • January 17th, 2018
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook1TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Blue Pie Media

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!