The Ophaboom Theatre Company, founded in London in 1991, specializes in creating and performing contemporary works in the Italian Commedia dell' Arte tradition.
In its earliest form, Commedia married the rough entertainments of traveling mountebanks and street peddlers with the masks of carnival and the classicism of Greek and Roman drama -- using stock characters to create a vibrant physical spectacle performed on high trestle stages in crowded squares or piazzas. The popularity of Commedia dell' Arte spread across medieval and Renaissance Europe with profound results. Its themes can be found time and time again in the works of Shakespeare, Moliere and other great European dramatists.
Drawing on medieval theatre and the origins of Commedia, Ophaboom set out to create a style of theatre in the manner of strolling players that would resonate with a modern audience. Although we sometimes perform in traditional theatre spaces, we also set up our trestle stage at festivals, on street corners, in village halls, in bowling alleys and many other less conventional venues -- for Ophaboom is dedicated to bringing theatre to audiences who might not otherwise go to see it.
We draw on the themes of familiar stories (Richard III, Robin Hood, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Faustus, etc.) and make use of traditional Commedia techniques, but our shows are not museum pieces from a bygone age. Ophaboom brings the trickster spirit of Commedia into the 21st century, creating shows that are socially and politically topical...as well as slapstick and hilarious!
We perform in a variety of languages (sometimes within the same show!), and have toured extensively through France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Poland, and throughout the British Isles. We have also toured in North America and South Korea. We were honored to be asked to perform four times at Venice Carnival; and we were the first English company to appear at the Medieval Festival in Le Puy-en-Velay.
'Criminally insane comedy.' --
Time Out'The actors are masked, the action is loud and the satire is topical. The four-strong company generate a winning warmth.' --
The London Times'Ophaboom have preserved the spirit of Commedia dell' Arte whilst developing it into a form which is very much of today.' --
British Theatre Guide
The Ophaboom Theatre Company:
Geoff Beale: Co-founder and Artistic Director
Howard Gayton: Co-founder and Artistic Director
Sarah Ratheram: Performer
Claire Jones: Performer
Go to the Ophaboom Theatre Company page for more information on the members of the company.
For performance or workshop booking information, contact James Seabright Theatre Productions .
