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Puppets, special effects, fantasy, poetry and make-believe will come together for the adventure of a lifetime at the State University of New York at Fredonia when the Kaleidoscope Family Series presents the Thèâtre Sans Fil production of “The Hobbit.”
Show time is Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. in Marvel Theatre at Rockefeller Arts Center. “The Hobbit” is 75 minutes long and recommended for ages nine and up.
Bilbo Baggins, a humble hobbit who likes to keep to himself, suddenly finds himself heading off with a company of dwarves in a quest for a long-lost treasure. Along the way, he battles goblins, a dragon and the infamous creature known as Gollum.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale comes to life through the master puppetry of the internationally-acclaimed Thèâtre Sans Fil. Founded in Quebec in 1971 by André Viens, artistic and general director, the Théâtre Sans Fil (Theatre without Strings) is a giant puppet company. More than three million people in 20 countries have attended their productions, most often performed in the native language of each country.
Inspired by the classical technique of Japanese Bunraku theatre, the company worked to unite this style with original and modern set design, lighting and music composed by musicians familiar with the art of puppetry.
Théâtre Sans Fil has given more than 3,000 performances on four continents. The “theatre without strings” has become a theatre without borders. Thèâtre Sans Fil was awarded with a prestigious Tribute Prize from the RIDEAU, the Quebec association of artistic presenters, in 1997 for its “undeniable contribution to the exportation of local artistic productions around the world.”
As a bonus after the show, audience members who wish to stay will be able to watch a special demonstration by the puppeteers and meet the performers in the lobby.
The series sponsor is Star Media Group and the event sponsors are Mark and Michelle Twichell.
Tickets are available through the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 (1-866-441-4928) or online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.
