Mummenschanz has been delighting audiences of all ages for over 50 years with their imaginative and unique form of theatre. Before coming to the Lone Tree Arts Center this November, we spoke with Floriana Frassetto, one of the original founders of the company.
52 years is an incredible legacy, what has made the work of Mummenschanz so lasting?
We remain what we used to be – evolving, growing with the times. When I watch television and go to the theater today, I hear loud music. I feel emotions are described and felt loudly. In a way, we are very classic. It’s a very special and different language, our language without words.
HOW HAS THE WORK CHANGED IN 52 YEARS OF PERFORMING?
When we’re touring, it’s difficult to create something new. Occasionally, we have a pause where we can create something new.
Once, we flew to South Korea, 22 hours. On the train, everyone was busy with their iPhones, and no one would give me a seat. Then, the idea came for a sketch about communicating with each other without speaking.
In the sketch, four youngsters are speaking using their thumbs. Then, one person comes in with a bigger phone than everyone else and the others are jealous. Using flexible wire, they start making different shapes and the new work was born.
THAT CREATIVITY SEEMS TO APPEAL TO ALL GENERATIONS
We have fun doing it, we look forward to doing it – the mix of the audience is different. More children, more youngsters, more people with the nostalgia of the 70s.
Sometimes I wonder if younger generations really feel like this and pick it up. But once, a younger audience member came up to me and said it was so cool, and it was a long time since she felt the simplicity of emotions, and she loved it.
It’s very important that families share the imagination. We all imagine differently, but we can all imagine together and have fun and get creative in our fantasies.
YOU’VE BEEN TOURING WITH THE COMPANY SINCE THE BEGINNING. WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?
Communication is at the heart of many of our works. The moment you put on the mask, and you start interacting with your colleague and interacting with the audience, you are in a different dimension. And it is so special.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE AUDIENCES TAKE AWAY FROM A MUMMENSHANZ PERFORMANCE?
The fun they have had, the freedom of creativity. [After a performance] children take a blanket and start breathing under it or they take a piece of paper and start drawing a big face.
The freedom of creativity is something we should never lose. We are forced to think in such a way – there’s little space of playfulness and letting out that child which is in all of us, even bankers and politicians. That naïve childlike poet is in all of us. It just needs to wake up and have the freedom to be.
Get your tickets to see Mummenschanz at LTAC!
All images by MUMMENSCHANZ Stiftung / Noe Flum