Day 5 & 6

Phew. Getting busy, and tired today (hmm must have been that late, fun night...)
A summary: Day 5- Professional Development lecture 'To tour or not to tour in France and Europe'. 5 speakers, audience debate/argument, took notes. In essence, it comes down to the challenge of expense versus the creative gains. Same as in Oz. Israel company director said everyone wants to tour to France because there is such an open spirit. Nice.
Shows: 'Retro' cabaret and Shadows from Italy (a bit like my Two Frocks show), and 'Puppets looking for Manipulators' also from Italy, with some lovely double person rod manipulations and dancing. Late show at the Institute of Marionettes set inside the building's windows with large muppet-like puppets- fabulous! And the audience was led there through the streets by a giant articulated hand (see obvious pic).

Day 6- Lunch at Spare Parts Puppet Theatre's Karen Hethey's billet on the terrace- very nice (see ivy house pic). Then cycled 20 mins across town to a Belgium production, in a theatre opposite the housing tower blocks- talk about a contrast! Fantastic show of rod puppets in a surreal dreamscape with a naked male puppet having a difficult time making sense of it all, being hounded by a yellow rubber duck. It was really good- sharp, absurd, very well manipulated, no text only sounds. Best thing: the framed stage contracted and expanded to create differently-sized views of the playboard.

Then I saw 3 more shows and a workshop, but I am honestly too tired to do them justice now. So will post again tomorrow, with more pics of course z z z z z z z z Z Z Z Z