PUTNEY-The towering puppets, brass band, giant papier-mâché creatures, and political pageantry of Bread & Puppet Theater return to Brattleboro on Saturday, Aug. 1, when the legendary Vermont company presents The Upside Down World Circus as part of Next Stage Arts’ Bandwagon Summer Series.
The outdoor performance begins at 4 p.m. at Retreat Farm, 45 Farmhouse Square, with gates opening at 3 p.m.
Filled with stilt dancers, oversized puppets, live music, dance, and the company’s trademark blend of satire and spectacle, The Upside Down World Circus offers an imaginative response to the political and social upheavals of the present day.
Following each performance, Bread & Puppet serves its famous sourdough rye bread with aioli, while the company’s popular “Cheap Art” table offers books, posters, postcards, pamphlets, banners, and other works from the Bread & Puppet Press.
Founded in 1963 by Peter and Elka Schumann on New York City’s Lower East Side, and now based in Glover, Vermont, Bread & Puppet Theater has become one of the world’s most celebrated political theater companies. Built on the belief that “theater is as basic as bread,” the company has spent more than six decades bringing visually striking performances to theaters, parks, churches, schools, and streets around the world.
Bread & Puppet’s giant puppets, expressive masks, original music, and exuberant visual storytelling have earned international recognition, including performances at theater festivals across Europe and honors such as four Obie Awards, the Erasmus Prize of Amsterdam, the Puppeteers of America’s President’s Award, and the Vermont Governor’s Award.
The company continues to create new work while performing at its farm in Glover and touring throughout the United States and abroad.
Tickets are $24 in advance, $28 at the gate, and free for children 12 and under. Advance tickets are available at nextstagearts.org.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.