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The Animated Blake

Intro If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise. --William Blake Acts Folly is the cloak of knavery. --William Blake Synopsis Shame is Prides cloke. --William Blake ScreenSaviour Prisons are built with stones of Law, Brothels with bricks of Religion. --William Blake T Excess of sorrow laughs. Excess of joy weeps. --William Blake F.A.Q. The fox condemns the trap, not himself. --William Blake Reviews Joys impregnate. Sorrows bring forth. --William Blake Credits

Show Synopsis

William Blake William Blake was considered a Freak during his lifetime and a Genius after his death. “The Animated Blake” embraces both the freak and the genius, illuminating the artist's visionary poetry with juggling and physical theater.

The show follows the “routine” format of a poetry reading or musical revue. It has no plot line, but is shaped by an aesthetic and conceptual progression. An opposition between Innocence and Experience gives way to subtle blends of good and evil through the “Marriage of Heaven and Hell.”

In addition to recitations, Blake's poetry is presented through musical interpretations. The Proverbs of Hell are dispensed in fortune cookies during a “communion” ceremony. Slide projections bring Blake's visual art into the show, and provide some room to breath in the words.”

Accompanying the poetry & prophecies are:

  • physical theater
  • book manipulation
  • incense-burner swinging
  • staff spinning
  • 1, 3, 4 & 5 ball juggling
  • torch juggling

This literary freakshow was created in 1999 by James Jay, the inventor of the high-tech Juggling Jukebox. The debut director was Jenny Iacobucci. Though James Jay is living in a German-speaking country, he has visions of someday re-staging the entire work in English.

Individual acts from the show are however currently available for hire.

 
 BLAKE Intro, Acts, Synopsis, ScreenSaviour, T, F.A.Q., Reviews, Credits


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