A Poke in the Eye

Devised and directed by Malcom Tulip
In collaboration with the Fall Rep Acting Company

October 1, 2-4, 9-11, 1998

A much-heralded international theatre troupe-none of them speaking a word of English- arrives at Iowa State University's Fisher Theater on their grand tour of America. All is well but for the fact that their set and costumes are stuck in Customs. On top of this, the University publicity insists they will be playing a Shakespeare classic instead of the Postmodern-avant-garde-neo-Brechtian social drama they had intended to present. A Poke in the Eye follows their attempts to scramble together a production without the benefit of a script. In the tradition of the Commedia dell'Arte each actor draws on their own personality traits and skills be they acrobatic, verbal or musical. There are battles for power, lover's quarrels and misunderstandings. Simple tasks become the opportunity for clown acts and the Bard's work is respectfully massacred.

Production Team
Assistant Stage Manager - Barb Wiedmann
Assistant Stage Manager - K.T. Gobeski
Assistant Stage Manager - Dan Beaver-seitz
Costume Design - Catherine Norgren
Director - Malcolm Tulip
Lighting Design - Ray Steveson
Scenic Design - Jim Trenberth
Stage Manager - Chris Mannes

Cast
Agnesh, the Cook - Katie Goldsmith
Bibidosh, their son - Michael Dahlstrom
Boresh, Agnesh's husband - Ben Godar
Fabrizio, an actor - Jack Meggers
Glacias, the Dramaturg - David Byrd
Lukash, an actor - Josh Bryner
Mamadosh, his wife - Mary Willard
Papadosh, the Boss - Mike Vogt
Soosah, Lukash's wife - Jasmyne Brown
Sophia, His daughter - Kim Hale
Sparki, the Techie - Malcolm Tulip
Ticosh, Costumier - Sean Kehoe
Tocosh, Ticosh's twin - Jonathon Cass