Paul Barritt of 1927 in association with Village Underground present
CAT AND MOUSE
- PAUL BARRITT OF 1927 AND VILLAGE UNDERGROUND PRESENT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CAT AND MOUSE
- THE THEATRICAL ANIMATION WILL PLAY AT VILLAGE UNDERGROUND ON 8 AND 9 JUNE 2017
- TICKETS ARE ON SALE TODAY AT WWW.VILLAGEUNDERGROUND.CO.UK
Today, Paul Barritt of 1927 in association with Village Underground have announced the world premiere of Cat and Mouse, an animation adventure featuring original big screen cartoons, live music and theatre. The collaboration marks Village Underground’s debut foray into producing live theatre and tickets for 8 and 9 June are on sale now at www.villageunderground.co.uk.
Inspired by George Harriman’s hugely influential Krazy Kat cartoon strip (1913-1944), Cat and Mouse is a feature-length, surreal and satirical animation created by Paul Barritt. The composer for the production is Laurence Owen with Siemy Di on drums and percussion and Sam Sallon on keys – together they are The Officer Pup Band. Lesley Ewen provides dramatic narration and Octavia Austin has designed the costumes.
Cat and Mouse sets up a familiar dichotomy and proceeds to navigate extremes of human idiocy from art to war, from technology to industry, from civilisation to love all rendered through the shenanigans of a rodent, a feline and the dogs of law. But who is really to blame in this anthropomorphic chaos, Mr Mouse or Mr Cat? Don’t forget that a good Cat is not a good Cat if he has no bad Mouse against which to be compared…
Paul Barritt, director and creator of Cat and Mouse, said: “Cat and Mouse began when dramaturg Beate Schüler contacted me asking if I would like to do a project based on the music of Harry Partch and George Harriman’s Krazy Kat. I’ll admit, I took the bait and ran with it, off to the left, then zig zagged a little, left side, right side and eventually, we created this rock ‘n’ roll Cat and Mouse with Village Underground. Made of old ‘toons and new tunes, it’s like an art house Itchy and Scratchy where the action spills out into the audience. Expect high octane action, fun and frolics, extreme (cartoon) violence, moments of edification, sadomasochism, a face machine, skeletons, dogs, dancing, and more.”
Glenn Max, Creative Director of Village Underground, said: “Stumbling elated from the theatre, enchanted and dazed from 1927’s Golem, I immediately wrote to them to express my appreciation for the play suggesting if ever they needed an unusual space, Village Underground could be available to host. I was extremely surprised to receive an email from Paul Barritt a few days later suggesting he might have a piece for us. Upon meeting him it was clear we were in the hands of magician of the theatre. While Village Underground has hosted wonderful theatre productions like Praxis Makes Perfect by National Theatre Wales and welcomed companies such as Sadler’s Wells to our venue, it would take a very special opportunity to move our organisation into the role of producer. Anyone who has experienced 1927’s twisted reinvention of theatre will recognise why their work resonates with Village Underground’s irreverent sensibility. The subversive humour, crafty production and penetrating narratives worked their way into our hearts and now, that inventiveness has worked its way into our home. Cat and Mouse represents the development of Village Underground, now celebrating its 10th year, as a new force in London’s theatre landscape.”
There will be two performances of Cat and Mouse per evening beginning at 7.30pm and 9.15pm.Cat and Mouse is supported by Arts Council England.