Sören Brunen's Figurer

Abstract

Sören Brunen's background is in architecture, and he envisions a “Machine-Theatre” that would portray the development of situations through purely mechanical means. Figurer, performed by the Packett Troupe at the Pistol Teatern in Stockholm, represents an initial phase in the evolution toward such a performance.In issue #17 of Théâtre et Université, the production is described as follows:The play is divided into eleven parts. It makes use of film, slide projections, sound tracks, compressed air machines, etc. It is performed by mannequins, silhouettes carved in plywood, and live actors. Each mannequin represents a particular stance or attitude. In other words, a given actor has been frozen in a state of suspension, a theatrical moment. He is perpetually re-creating and repeating the gesture he was making or the words he was speaking at the moment when he became frozen. At the same time, the live performers play the part of mannequins.