| Admin History | A mime and mask driven production which toured across the country Winter /Spring 1986 -1987. Tour was later extended and the production travelled to France and was also performed at The London International Mime Festival on January 27-28 1987. Written and directed by Jon Oram in collaboration with the company. Oram had a an established realtionship with Kneehigh having previously directed their production of Tregeagle before leaving Cornwall to join Ann Jellicoe's Colway Theatre Trust. Fool's Paradise tells the story of Jean Gaspard Debureau a famous figure of 19th century Paris known as 'Baptiste' who was the hero of the classic film 'Les Enfants du Paradis'. Baptise was the greatest pantomime star/clown of his age. Fool's Paradise sets out his life from 1820, when he was first engaged at Funambules Theatre, until his death in 1846 and is set against a background of civil unrest and insurrection. Show was well received but lost momentum with the cast overtime.
Cast & Crew (6 cast members took on 76 different roles)
- Josephine, Playwright, Virginia, Creature of the Dark Quarters, an Elite, Soldier, Angel, Nun, Wife, Butterfly, Gods, Funeral and Wedding Guest - Hilary Coleman
- Betrand, Truth, Policeman, Death, Blindman, Creature of the Dark Quarters, an Elite, Soldier, Laboucher, Doorkeeper, Vielen, Angel -William Coleman
- Fouche, Phillipe Debureau, Priest, Park Keeper, Helga, Creature of the Dark Quarters, an Elite, Soldier, Laboucher, Doorkeeper, Vielen, Angel - Timothy Dalling
- Maria, Lily, Columbina, Diana the Moon, Playwright, Creature of the Dark Quarters, an Elite, Soldier, Angel, Revolutionary, Funeral and Wedding Guest - Annabelle Macfadyen
- Frederick Lemaitre, Waxworks, Clown, Blanchard, Death, Begger, Creature of the Dark Quarters, an Elite, Soldier, Robert Macaire, Devil, Old Clothes Merchant, Butcher, Gentleman, Butterfly, Funeral and Wedding Guest - David Mynne
- Baptiste Debureau, Pantalone, Policeman, Creature of the Dark Quarters, an Elite, Soldier, Waiter, Revoluntionary, Gods - Mike Shepherd
- Set Design -Jon Oram, Tom Dudley, Dave Mynne, Jeremy Rowe, Nick James and the Company
- Costumes Wendy Dudley and Wanda
- Music- The Company with the special assistance of Boris Howarth of Welfare State Theatre
- Circus Skills- Jon Lee
- Voice Training- Pam Coates
- Movement -Audrey Cook
- Lighting Design- Adrian Carol
- Lighting - Allan Drake
- Artwork - David Mynne
- Programme - John Oram and Bob Butler
- Adminstration - Bob Butler and Helen Fox. |