Anywhere
About
ANYWHERE is an exquisite, landmark string-marionette work created by the French puppetry company Théâtre de l’Entrouvert with original creation for the stage by Elise Vigneron and Hélène Barreau. Freely inspired by the novel ‘Oedipus on the road’ by Henry Bauchau, ANYWHERE evokes the long wandering of Oedipus accompanied by his daughter Antigone. The fallen Oedipus appears in the form of an ice puppet that gradually melts, then appears as mist and finally disappears in the forest, the place of clairvoyance. ANYWHERE traces with gentleness and strength a poetic journey, in black and white, of fire and ice, which speaks to us about our bodies, our environment, our fragilities, and our wanderings in the infinite circle of renewal.
Setting the work on a US team for touring: The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and Théâtre de l’Entrouvert worked in close collaboration to develop a US-based ensemble to perform the work. This included a development period in France in November 2022 followed by a residency period in Chicago in January 2023. The work then premiered at The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival in January 2023 at the Chopin Theater where it sold out all shows and added another and enjoyed standing ovations.
Booking Anywhere for Touring:
To Book Anywhere for Touring, please email Yolanda Cesta Cursach, Anywhere@chicagopuppetfest.org
The touring performance requires 2 performers (Mark Blashford & Ashwaty Chennat) and 3 support staff. Tech Rider is available upon request.
Show Credits
Original show created by Théâtre de l’Entrouvert, French puppet company
The U.S. production of Anywhere was created with funding support from: The Ferdi Foundation, Jentes Family Foundation, Justine Jentes and Dan Karuna, Manaaki Foundation, and FACE Contemporary Theater, a program of Villa Albertine and the FACE Foundation, in partnership with the Embassy of France in the United States. Additional support comes from the Ford Foundation, Ministry of Culture, the French Institute’s IF Export program, the AVIAMA, the Cratère, scène national d’Alès, the Vélo Théâtre in Apt, and private donors.
Credits for the U.S. version Co-produced by The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and Théâtre de l’Entrouvert follow:
Artistic Direction:
Elise Vigneron and Blair Thomas
Scenography & Design:
Elise Vigneron
Excerpts from:
Œdipe sur la route by Henry Bauchau
Original Show Staging:
Elise Vigneron and Hélène Barreau
Puppeteer:
Mark Blashford
Performer/Dancer:
Ashwaty Chennat
U.S.Stage Manager:
Claire Saxe
Puppet Construction:
Vincent Debuire. assisted by Alma Roccella, from original designs by Hélène Barreau
Manipulation Device Construction:
Hélène Barreau
Music:
Pascal Charrier, Robin Fincker, Sylvain Darrifourcq, Julien Tamisier
Lighting & Technical Direction:
Richard Norwood
Production Technician:
Beth Richards
Sound & Run Crew:
Corey Douglas Smith
Original Sound Design:
Thibaut Boislève et Corentin Abeille
Music:
Pascal Charrier, Robin Fincker, Sylvain Darrifourcq, Julien Tamisier
Production Manager:
Julie Le Corre
Managing Producer:
Sandy Smith Gerding
Tour Development & Manager:
Yolanda Cesta Cursach Montilla
Project Advocacy:
Julie Moller
