Humanimals on tour

Press, 23 November 1983, Page 2

Humanimals on tour

Charlotte Wrightson takes a pearl from the seagull, played by Richard von Sturmer, in a sketch by the theatre group, Humanimals. The group, made up of the two actors, is in Christchurch for a lunchtime show in Cathedral Square and at the Upper Common Room in the Arts Centre on Friday evening. Humanimals has been together for 12 months and is touring New Zealand sponsored by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council. The Christchurch performances are half-way through the 12centre tour. Voice and movement are the characteristics of the performances, and Humanimals includes Mongolian overtone chanting in the repertoire. The art was learnt on a recent study trip to London and Italy. Both Richard von Sturmer and Charlotte Wrightson spent some time in Italy learning Lecoq mime, which uses voice and masks as well as movement. They are experimenting with the use of body masks, such as the seagull, rather than use the more normal face masks. The seagull mask, and trout and lobster masks used in another sketch, are made from papier mache and chicken wire.

The name, Humanimals, comes from the link between animals and people. The actors say they respect animals and if people value animals’ lives it follows that they value human lives also.

Both actors have had experience in theatre with music groups. The Auck-land-based performers belonged to The Plague, a rock music group, and a cabaret group, Inside Information.

Richard von Sturmer is also a songwritbr. Groups to have used his lyrics include Blam Blam Blam, Avant Garage, and Coconut Rough.