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Joan Holden and the San Francisco Mime Troupe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2021

Ruby Cohn*
Affiliation:
University of California

Extract

At 10:00 a.m. a red metrovan truck rolls up to a Bay Area park. Along its side white letters blare “San Francisco Mime Troupe.” Within a few minutes two old cars park near the truck, and 10 people alight from the vehicles. They confer swiftly before unburdening the truck of collapsible platform, costume rack and prop boxes on wheels. One of the people points to the sky, designating the path of the afternoon sun; the stage must be positioned with the sun behind the audience. Practiced hands then set the small platform on jacks, elevate the stage frame with its narrow curtain, and underpin the whole. Casual conversation punctuates the hard physical labor. By noon the small performance space is ready, and the Mime Troupe actors select their several costumes for the afternoon's play.

Type
Women and Performance Issue
Copyright
Copyright © 1980 The Drama Review

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