Surrey Civic Theatres Presents Evocative and Mature Puppet Performance: ‘Metamorphosis’

Surrey Civic Theatres Presents Evocative Production

from Iceland’s Famed Puppet Master Bernd Ogrodnik with

– Metamorphosis –

Series of Visionary Vignettes Examines our Humanity in Technically Intricate Tale

Surrey Civic Theatres presents the enchanting puppet show for adults, Metamorphosis, at Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall (13450 104 Avenue) on March 13, 2019, at 7:30pm. An imaginative and poignant series of vignettes that range from the trivial to the metaphysical, the multi-faceted work created and performed by Iceland’s famed master puppeteer Bernd Ogrodnik is a poetic — and often hilarious — exploration of the nature of our existence, inviting audience members to change how they perceive the objects of their everyday lives.

“There is a surreal quality inherent in puppetry,” says Ogrodnik, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Iceland-based Worlds of Puppets. “When the audience actively contributes to the process of bringing puppets to life, breathing these fragile figures into existence, they have the capacity to express our deepest emotions, joys, and fears; thereby, creating magic and provoking thought.”

Neil Scott, Cultural Production Coordinator for Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall adds, “Metamorphosis is a delight for the senses. Bernd Ogrodnik’s series of original short stories is poetry in motion — a theatrical expression of the nuances of our lives from the ordinary to the sublime. It encourages us to question not just what we see, but how we see it.”

Metamorphosis brings a delightfully eclectic cast of characters to life, ranging from intricate, hand-carved marionettes and rod puppets to unusual characters created simply from silk scarves or Ogrodnik’s own hands and feet. Set on a minimalistic black stage, the 10 vignettes effortlessly journey from one story to the next, captivating audiences through a deeply meditative atmosphere. The presentation, which includes some mature content, offers a contemplative reflection on the varied aspects of the human experience.

Originally commissioned in 2006 by the National Theatre of Iceland for adult audiences, the 90-minute presentation of Metamorphosis has toured the world extensively and comes to Canada for the first time in 2019. Featuring original stories ranging in length from just a few minutes to nearly 20 minutes, the mixed program triggers complex emotions, stirring the hearts and souls of audiences and encouraging new perspectives. Mostly presented in mesmerizing silence, three stories—“A Boy and a Horse,” “The Last Dance,” and “Mother Earth” — are set to an eclectic mix of musical accompaniment featuring Gabriel Faure’s “In Paradisum” and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” as well as instrumental melodies composed and performed live by Ogrodnik.

Born in Germany in 1961, Ogrodnik has been fascinated with the magical sets and endearing strength of wooden characters since he was a young boy. Leaving his home country at 18, Ogrodnik traversed the world studying a range of creative pursuits including music, martial arts, woodworking, and illustration before returning to his first passion in puppetry. From his adopted home of Iceland, Ogrodnik has built an internationally-lauded career in puppetry over the past three decades, co-founding Iceland’s Center for Puppetry Arts, serving as Master Puppeteer with the National Theatre of Iceland, and touring the world extensively performing, directing, and teaching puppetry workshops at festivals, universities, and conferences. Hailed by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “one of puppetry’s most impressive talents,” and also a prominent leader and noted technical master in the field, Ogrodnik is an advocate for the preservation of this ancient and expressive art form.

Audience advisory: One of the vignettes contains some mature content. This performance is intended audience members ages 16+.

About Surrey Civic Theatres (surrey.ca/theatre)

Surrey Civic Theatres presents the annual Surrey Spectacular Season at three venues—Main Stage and Studio Theatre, both at the Surrey Arts Centre (13750 88 Avenue), and Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall (13450 104 Avenue). This curated, eclectic mix of professional performances —ranging from theatre, music, and dance to circus, stand-up comedy, and puppetry — is an invitation to connect, laugh, dance, have thought-provoking conversations, and be inspired. Complementing its presentations, Surrey Civic Theatres offers performing arts classes for all ages taught by practicing artists.

About Bernd Ogrodnik (worldsofpuppets.com)

A prominent figure in the world of puppetry since 1986, Bernd Ogrodnik is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Worlds of Puppets and serves as Master Puppeteer for the National Theatre of Iceland. He has toured all over Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia as a performer, director and lecturer at festivals, universities, and conferences. He has performed, directed, and created marionettes, puppets, and masks for theatres, operas, TV, and film.