Judith
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Mistero Buffo - 2005/02/12 11:15
This is almost on topic, but probably better here:
I saw the Yorkshire based Riding Lights Theatre Company last night in a performance of ‘Mistero Buffo’, or comic mystery plays - ‘mystery’ as in stories of the life of Christ, of course, not as in Agatha Christie. The advance publicity described “… the antics of the jongleur, descendent of the great medieval buffoons who scratched at the consciences of Europe, delighting the crowds, infuriating the powerful”. And “thrillingly raucous stories that explode with love of humanity and rant against oppression”. And of the Italian author, “he … won a Nobel Prize for emulating the jesters of the Middle Ages in scourging authority and upholding the dignity of the downtrodden.”
So who do those words make you think of? (Or, of whom do those words make you think?)
Whether or not the Christian stories are significant for you - and most people are familiar with them at least - the performances were astonishing and very demanding, some of the plays being performed by a single actor doing several parts, and using a great deal of mime to support the words of a very complex script. There were also interludes of additional topical material not part of the original plays. (The PM getting dressed in the morning was a hoot!)
If this sort of thing appeals to you, see their website at www.misterobuffo.com for the rest of the tour dates, finishing in York on 26th February. As the author describes it, it is “laughter with anger”.
Judith
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