GHOULA presents
Beneath the...
STRINGS That Go Bump in the Night!
An evening of SPOOKY PUPPET STORIES in a HAUNTED PUPPET THEATER!
THE DATE: April 18, 2015 (SOLD OUT)
THE PLACE: The Bob Baker Marionette Theater
1345 W 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Downtown) (map)
THE TIME: 7:30pm - 9:30
ADMISSION: SOLD OUT!!!
13.00 SEATS (Chairs)
$6.66 CARPET (Floor)
+PLUS a handling fee
(for ticket info...)
Featuring...
a LIVE CAPTURED AURAL PHANTASY THEATER horror-themed show about ghostly marionettes, a screening of local artist/filmmaker Kevin McTurk's new puppet horror film THE MILL AT CALDER'S END (pictured above), a performance from puppeteer Eli Presser of VEM, an appearance by the famous Bob Baker Marionettes, some personal ghost stories about this historic theater, and... a few surprises.
WARNING: Show may not be appropriate for young children.
Two years ago, Bob Baker welcomed GHOULA into his historic theater (the oldest puppet theater in the country), for our first "STRINGS" night of "movies, marionettes, and mayhem." We screened BLUEBEARD (1944), and Bob spoke, even bringing out the original marionettes used in the film. We did a second "STRINGS" night months later, but Bob was too sick to attend. Sadly, Bob Baker past away last year, but luckily his theater is still here, and still carrying on his legacy of putting on great puppets shows every weekend.
Please come out to this enchanted oasis (while it lasts) that has been entertaining and inspiring the children (and adults) of our city for over fifty years, for this rare spooky night-time event that tempts the spirits... if you dare.
About the film: THE MILL AT CALDER'S END (2014)
In the remote village of Calder's End stands an old windmill, a repository of dark secrets. Nicholas Grimshaw has returned to this haunted place, his childhood home, intent on breaking a generations old family curse. Grimshaw's journey takes him deep below the decaying mill, into mysterious, forgotten catacombs, where upon he confronts the very source of the evil that has corrupted his family. "The Mill at Calder's End" is a Gothic tale inspired by the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and M.R. James and is told with the use of 36 inch tall bunraku rod puppets operated by puppeteers dressed in black.
THE BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER'S GHOST(S):
Although people generally associate ghosts with violent/sudden deaths, there are many other theories as to why a ghost will haunt a certain location. Some believe that spirits will return to places that (in life) gave them great pleasure, or perhaps sites where (in life) much time was spent. There is also a theory that confused ghosts sometimes seek out humanoid objects to possess like wax figures, mannequins, or dolls, and thus gravitate to spots where these objects can be found (old wax museums, children's bedroom's, etc.)
So, naturally (or super-naturally) the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, the oldest continuously-operating puppet theater in the United States, is said to have a phantom of a former puppeteer lingering around (seen by staff), watching the staff from his favorite seat on the east side of the theater (last row against the wall, three seats from the aisle). Perhaps he just doesn't want to leave this happy place, or maybe he just likes being around puppets. Additionally, he is seen in the backstage area. On the wings (on the West side of the building), there are mirrors so that performers can check their puppets, or practice moves. While doing this, they will see the ghostly puppeteer (in the mirror's reflection) watching them. When they turn around, no one is there. Plus, whenever something goes wrong during a performance such as a string breaking or a set falling, it's always blamed on the resident spook, presumably unhappy about something in the show.
In ancient times, the "illusion of life" created by marionettes was thought to be work of other-worldly forces. Who knows, maybe this resident "ex-puppeteer" still lends a hand during performances, animating the inanimate objects, and making them move in realistic ways. Is it possible that old habits die hard,... even if the ghost didn't?
(for ticket info...)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beneath-the-strings-that-go-bump-in-the-night-tickets-16440680518
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