Dr. Temple Grandin is a high-functioning autistic who has written with great insight into the way animals and autistic people think. Puppeteers Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones will talk about the influence of Grandin’s book Animals in Translation has had on their work, explaining why they enrole their audiences as “autistics” and what the implications of this way of regarding an audience are for their philosophy of the theatre.

Accompanied by a short performance, I Love You When You’re Breathing, directed by Handspring’s puppeteer/director Jason Potgieter, Kohler and Jones will share their ideas on micro-movement and how central breath is to the life of the object. The presentation will also include an interrogation of their production with the National Theatre of Great Britain, War Horse, and the significance of animal being in a theatrical context.

Kohler and Jones started Handspring Puppet Company with two friends in 1981. They have worked with with many theatre directors including Barney Simon, Mark Fleishman, Malcolm Purkey and William Kentridge. A decade-long association with Kentridge saw the production of a number of iconic plays, including Woyzeck on the Highveld (now in its 20th year). In recent years their productions have focused on animals: chimpanzees, a giraffe and most recently horses. Kohler and Jones with Handspring Puppet Company are the recipients of a number of awards including an Olivier Award in London and a Tony Award in New York.

Refreshments served from 5 pm, lecture commences at 5.30 pm.

Handspring Puppet Company audio recording available for download.

Handspring Puppet Company video recording:

Start: 23 Feb ’12 5:00 pm

End: 23 Feb ’12 7:00 pm

Cost: Free

Category: , 

Email: fin-gipca@uct.ac.za

Venue: Hiddingh Hall 

Phone: +27 21 480 7156 

Address: Google Map UCT Hiddingh Campus, 31 Orange Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa