Mummenschanz brings its body of work to the San Jose shows
Almost a half-century after she co-founded Mummenschanz, Floriana Frassetto says the mime troupe’s audiences still give her the energy to perform. She and co-founders Bernie Schürch and Andres Bossard will be exchanging energy with South Bay audiences March 16-17 when Mummenschanz brings its latest touring show, “you & me,” to the Hammer Theatre Center.
“We’re like instruments, and you’re the music director,” Frassetto says of the people who come to see Mummenschanz perform its pioneering form of mime. “Whatever the audience reactions, we play off that.”
Mummenschanz began in Switzerland in 1972. Frassetto says the troupe’s longevity is due in part to the fact that its wordless routines cross cultural boundaries, adding that it’s been a pleasant surprise to have been entertaining audiences for 48 years.
“We just did what we wanted,” Frassetto says. “We didn’t think we would last three weeks.”
What Mummenschanz wanted was to speak to the human condition using only masks, props and choreography.
“We wanted to be critical, ironic and playful,” Frassetto says. “We’ve remained unique because we have such a passion for it. We still believe in it.”
The troupe performs some of its classic routines in “you & me,” including one in which Schürch and Bossard manipulate the clay masks they’re wearing to suit their emotional responses.
“The idea we had 48 years ago are still very modern,” Frassetto says, “but in the new show, we tried different ideas like cell phones.”
The “cell phones” are actually made of materials that can be manipulated to create other objects. While finances initially dictated that Mummenschanz create its masks and props from found materials, Frassetto says, “We also wanted inanimate objects to live another life.”
While the troupe’s onstage creations are full of whimsy and imagination, Mummenschanz’s current tour has been hit by a viral reality, as some dates have been cancelled due to concerns about the Coronavirus. But after 48 years, Frassetto considers this to be just another challenge.
“We don’t stop because of this,” she says. “We still have to bring joy, happiness and hope to people.”
“you & me” plays March 16-17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. Tickets are $40$50 at www.hammertheatre.com or 408-924-8501.
Contact Anne Gelhaus at 408-200-1051.