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Trouble Puppet Gala at Salvage Vanguard Theater
Except for the delicate glasses, which he removed for our photo, and the general lack of blue body paint, tall, ardent Connor Hopkins could have passed for an Early Medieval Pict warrior. (Not that I remember that far back, kids.) Or perhaps he was a post-apocolyptic sentry overseeing games of horrifying symbolic import staged in the lobby of Salvage Vanguard Theater.
Kathryn Rogers and Connor Hopkins
Hopkins is the primary artist behind Trouble Puppet, an adroitly named Austin theater company. If puppets give you the creeps, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. The group’s micro-gala on Wednesday lived up to the company’s name and reputation.
Dallas Tate and Sharon Sparlin
The theme was “Riddley Walker,” after the science fiction novel by Russell Hoban. Set two thousand years following nuclear war, the story dumps the title character in a new Iron Age around Southern England. Trouble Puppet plans its own stage version Sept. 28-Oct. 16.
Debra Blue and Geoff Kruml
Torn brown paper and crudely executed signs announced various underground gala activities, including one game that stripped players of bodily parts. Producing partner Kathryn Rogers guided me through some of the thrills. I also talked with a gaggle guests who seemed tickled by the party’s playful proposition.
Jarrah Garrett and Sophia Palmira
I subsequently placed “Riddley Walker,” the novel, on my reading list and “Riddley Walker,” the puppet play, on my fall events calendar.
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By Sharon Sparlin
August 5, 2011 8:58 AM | Link to this
Mr. B - Next time, you're losing a body part, and you ain't got no say about it! :)
By Connor
July 24, 2011 11:25 AM | Link to this
Great to see you there Robert, and remember it's Riddley WALKER, not Riddley Scott. That's a whole other puppet play. ;) We'll save you a seat.