Happy

by Ronnie Burkett

November 9– December 10, 2000

This puppeteer provocateur is one of the most daring theatre artists in Canada. - The Globe and Mail

Happy, the newest creation from Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes, introduces us to the engaging title character, a “happy-go-lucky ” veteran and pensioner who wanders through episodes of grief in other peoples lives. Tandem to the storyline presented by the character of Happy is the grief vaudeville of Antoine Marionette, a campy, other-worldly master of ceremonies. Writer and performer Ronnie Burkett examines the impact of cataclysmic sorrow in human existence and the on going discussion of whether happiness is the lucky domain of a select few or the result of constant striving beyond the layers of human despair.

Starring: Ronnie Burkett
Music and Sound Designer: Cathy Nosaty
Lighting Designer: Bill Williams
Stage Manager: Terri Gillis

“Ronnie Burkett is one of the world’s geniuses…seeing his troupe every few years has just become a necessity of civilized theatregoing.” – The Village Voice, New York

“Brilliant.” The New York Times

READ: History of Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes

November 9– December 10, 2000

Times

Opening November 9

CAST & CREW

PERFORMER/CREATOR

RONNIE BURKETT

Ronnie Burkett has been captivated by puppetry since the age of seven, when he opened the World Book Encyclopedia to “Puppets”. He began touring his puppet shows at the age of fourteen and has been on the road ever since.

Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes premiered in 1986 with Fool’s Edge, which played the Edmonton Fringe Festival that summer. Ronnie began his long association with Theatre Network in 1990, when Awful Manors premiered on the Roxy stage. For his work with Theatre of Marionettes, Ronnie has received numerous awards in the Canadian theatre as a playwright, actor and designer (including eight Sterling Awards from the Edmonton theatre community), and international recognition including a Village Voice OBIE Award in New York for Off-Broadway Theatre. 10 Days on Earth is the tenth production from Theatre of Marionettes, and follows the now-retired international success Provenance and the “Memory Dress Trilogy” of Tinka’s New Dress, Street of Blood and Happy, all of which played here at The Roxy.

Throughout 2006-07, Ronnie will be performing 10 Days on Earth in Vancouver, Auckland, Sydney, London, Manchester, Vienna, Montreal and other cities around the world. When not jiggling puppets in front of strangers, Ronnie lives in expensive, noisy Toronto, and is presently working on two new productions – Billy Twinkle, Requiem for a Golden Boy and Penny Plain. Ronnie really really really thanks you for turning off your cell phone.

COMPOSER/SOUND DESIGNER

CATHY NOSATY

Cathy Nosaty has created scores for numerous theatre productions across Canada. In the past dozen years she has written music for the Theatre of Marionettes productions of Tinka’s New Dress, Old Friends, Street of Blood, Happy and Provenance.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

BILL WILLIAMS

Bill Williams is a well-known Canadian designer, specializing in the fields of stage and architectural lighting design. With more than 500 project credits, his work has taken him across Canada and the U.S.A. and to Europe, Asia, South America and the U.K. He is delighted to be working with Ronnie and going on another incredible adventure. His previous Ronnie Burkett designs include Old Friends, Street of Blood, Happy and Provenance. When not designing lighting, Bill is also active as a teacher, photographer, webmaster and theatre consultant.

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