BRATTLEBORO — New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St., presents Clowntown's Newsreels of the 1930s, written and directed by Doran Hamm with Stephen Stearns, to be performed at 7 p.m., on Oct. 27 and 28 and Nov. 3 and 4, and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 5.
NEYT's Clowns are at it again. Clowntown's Newsreels of the 1930s will take some of history's most famous events for reenactment in typical Clowntown fashion. The flight of Amelia Earhart, the breadlines of the Great Depression, the medal parade at the 1932 Olympics, and more are presented as classic newsreels from the Thirties - as seen through clown glasses.
Director Doran Hamm said in a news release that he has long been fascinated by the films and news clips of the early 20th century, “before the advent of television, Fox News, and Facebook. We wanted to present historical events in a similar fashion, but as interpreted and performed by our clowns.”
Hamm is an alumnus of the very first NEYT company and has been touring the country as a theater educator, returning to his roots periodically to give back to the community that gave him his start.
“This project has been especially fun because we are able to give a history lesson to the kids at the same time,” he says, noting that the cast was shown clips of the actual newsreels they were re-enacting prior to coming up with the “clown version.”
On hand to help with the writing and directing of the show is NEYT founder Stephen Stearns, who started the theater in 1998 in a former Chinese restaurant in downtown Brattleboro after a long and successful career as a professional clown, mime, and actor.
“This show is truly Clowntown at its finest,” Stearns says.
The production team is rounded out by local artist and sound designer Maria Pugnetti and costumes created by NEYT Creative Director Sandy Klein.