Woyzeck on the Highveld

Synopsis

Handspring Puppet Company, best known for creating War Horse with the National Theatre, return to the UK with an adaptation of Georg Buchner's Woyzeck on the Highveld. In 1950s South Africa a migrant worker struggles to survive in a callous, inhospitable, urban landscape. The production brings together rod-manipulated puppets and animated film to illustrate Woyzeck's tortured mind as he tries to make sense of his circumstances. Anyone who has seen War Horse (or any other Handspring production for that matter) will tell you that what makes this company extraordinary is their ability to give these otherwise inanimate objects a life and soul. Despite the fact that they don t attempt to hide the actors operating the puppets, audiences cannot help believing in the stories played out in front of them. It is truly something incredible to watch and we urge to you take a leap of faith and see this beautiful, haunting production.

Our Review:

Laura Norman - 7 September 2011

Best known for their work on War Horse, Handspring Puppet Company aim to explore puppets in an African context from their base in Cape Town. Founded in 1981 by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, the company’s first international success came ten years later in 1991 with Starbrites. Woyzeck on the Highveld was created in collaboration with artist William Kentridge the following year.

Revived by director Luc De Wit, the production utilises Kentridge’s animations and Handspring’s trademark rod-manipulated puppets.

In this adaptation of Georg Buchner’s 19th century play a German soldier Woyzeck is transformed into a migrant worker in 1956 Johannesburg. At its heart a comment on social upheaval and displacement, the driving force behind the plot is jealousy leading to murder.

The p...

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