"For the first time in ages, the venerable La MaMa has opened a new
performance space. The Downstairs is another of the venue's brick-lined,
tin-ceilinged exquisites, though this one is tucked away in the
basement, a snug little wine cave where some of us sit on low benches.
Before the equally miniature and enchanting Shank's Mare, two four-foot-tall Japanese puppets perform a ceremonial dance, the sanbaso, to welcome this new stage into being. The operators sit behind them on small rolling boxes—a technique known as kuruma ningyo—stamping the puppets' feet, turning the floor into sacred space by treading on it in just the right way."
- - - - -
"Tom Lee and Koryu Nishikawa V’s Shank’s Mare at La MaMa’s new space, The Downstairs, is an opportunity to see some rare artistry at work...beautifully executed puppetry, visual effects and evocative music."
- Alison Walls, Exeunt Magazine
- - - - -
"This elaborate ninety-minute produc-
tion is a collaboration of Japanese
Master Puppeteer Koryu Nishikawa V
of Japan and his American pupil, Pup-
peteer-Designer-Director Tom Lee.
A blend of Eastern
and Western tradi-
tions, this piece
introduces us to a
brand-new form of
Puppetry for to-
day's audiences. It features hand-
some puppets
created in Japan
and the US, ex-
quisitely detailed
miniature sets,
live feed video
projection, live
musical accompaniment. . . and no
spoken dialog."
- Puppet Master Magazine
- - - - -
"The puppetry with which these characters are brought to life is
something close to magic and the magician at the helm is Nishikawa, the
fifth generation headmaster of the 160-year-old traditional puppet
theatre company, Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo. The puppets here, each one with
distinct features and fine detail, are American-made by an obviously
talented crew of carvers and designers."
- A. C. Wright, Stage Buddy
- - - - -
"Shank’s Mare, created by Tom Lee and Koryu Nishikawa V, is a
puppet show using video, miniaturization, actors and music, all blended
together for an enchanting evening mixing the Eastern and
Western culture. You will be mesmerized by these stories and the way
they are told...This show should not be missed."
- - - - -
La MaMa presents
SHANK'S
MARE
Created By Tom Lee (USA) & Koryu Nishikawa V (Japan)
Now thru November 15, 2015
Thursday - Saturday at 8:30pm; Sunday at 6pm
The Downstairs @ La MaMa
66 East 4th Street
(between Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY 10003
Tickets: $25 Adults; $20 Students/Seniors - all performances currently SOLD OUT: waiting list begins one hour prior to each performance.
For Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE
