Changing the way we think about street theatre, Royal de Luxe brings together gorgeous imagery, engineering talent and storytelling prowess to transform the idea of the mannequin into pure comic strip brilliance. This ingenious free event will infiltrate the city over ten days, using popular shop windows for stages. Forty mannequins will be fixed in place every day and changed every night so the stories can evolve on the streets of Wellington during Festival 2010.
The personal adventures of the mannequins interweave love, fear, honour, pleasure, revenge, jealousy, violence and the discovery of life. Royal de Luxe has performed around the world, creating extraordinary rapport with passers-by. Residents have become captivated with the activities of these miraculous beings and begin to follow their every move. By the end of the performance, huge crowds gather daily. Make sure you reserve a spot on the footpath to catch sight of these wondrous creations before they leave our streets.
Shopfront locations around Wellington:
CLOSING-DOWN SALE / David Lawrence
EVIL TALE FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN / Pearl
THE COMIC FRIE BRIGADE/ Robyn Mathieson
THE ANGELUS, BY MILLET / Portmans
EAT YOUR SOUP IF YOU WANT TO GROW UP BIG AND STRONG / Borders
NIGHTMARE OF THE PUDDLE / Unity Collection
THE HUNTER / Farmers
POSITIVE TEST / Kirkcaldie & Stains
THE KITCHEN / Kirkcaldie & Stains
THE LOVERS / Stax
Author/Artistic director: Jean Luc Courcoult
Co-produced with the City of Nantes and the Charleville mézières International Institute of Puppetry.
Images: Jordi Bover
