Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Presents
Le Pot de Confiture (The Jam Jar)
A Play Written by Laurent Mourguet
Performed by Le Collectif Zonzons
Featuring Iconic French Puppet Guignol de Lyon
In Los Angeles
Tuesday, May 5, 2015

In French with Projected English Subtitles

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 7, 2015 – Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK) presents Le Pot de Confiture (The Jam Jar), a puppet play featuring the mischievous character Guignol de Lyon on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 7:30pm. Le Pot de Confiture is the most performed play of Laurent Mourguet, who created the iconic Guignol character in 1808. Le Collectif Zonzons refreshes this classic with a modern approach to the traditional art of the hand puppet. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, and tickets are available here. The puppet show is appropriate for adults and children alike, ages 3 and up. The Los Angeles performance is part of a U.S. tour, which also includes stops in New York, San Francisco, and Palo Alto. In French with English subtitles. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles is located at 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310-286-0553). To learn more about Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, please visit http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com.

Le Pot de Confiture (The Jam Jar) Synopsis –
Guignol is a greedy servant, devouring his master’s jam supply whenever he can in this contemporary interpretation of the classic puppet play. Mr. Cassandre, Octave’s father, is about to fire him. Sadly for Octave, his beautiful neighbor and fiancé, Ms. Emily, recommended Guignol. If she learns that her favorite servant is about to get fired, she will cancel the wedding, even though Octave is madly in love with her. How will Octave please everyone while dealing with Guignol’s cheekiness?

Laurent Mourguet –
Laurent Mourguet was born in 1769 into a family of silk workers from Lyon, France. In addition to taking up the family trade, he also worked as a salesman and dentist before becoming a puppeteer. While working as a dentist, Mourguet originally created the Guignol character in order to attract new clientele as well as to distract his patients from tooth pain. Before long, Mourguet became a recognized puppeteer and attracted large audiences. His Guignol character was so successful that his puppet shows spread throughout France, ultimately earning iconic status.

Guignol –
Guignol is an impish French hand puppet created in 1808 by Mourguet. He is spontaneous, whiny, but also generous at heart. Guignol tweaked the nose of authority and poked fun at the rich and powerful, speaking for the man in the street, the working class, the poor, and the downtrodden. He served as a champion for democracy at a time when the new French Republic and democracy were still fragile, but rebellious energy flowed throughout the country.

Filip Auchère, Director & Puppeteer –
Filip Auchère directs shows and has been a puppeteer for the Théâtre Municipal Le Guignol de Lyon since 1994. In 2008, he also created a Franco-Malgache theatre company for the show Quel Bazar! (What a Mess!). Others productions include La Boîte (The Box), Cause toujours! (Whatever!), and L’Armoire (The Closet). He also teaches the art of puppetry, including acting.

Emma Utges, Puppeteer –
Emma Utges is an actor, singer, and puppeteer. As an actor, she has performed with Bloc Opératoire, Les Transformateurs, and Cie de la Goutte. As a singer, she formed vocal duo Apoustiaak, which performs traditional songs of the world. Utges has also performed as a puppeteer with Collectif Zonzons since 2003. In 2009, she created the theatre company Cie MA, whose first show was Ego non sum sed vos amo (I do not exist but I love you). She also teaches the art of puppetry, including acting.

Le Collectif Zonzons –
In 1994, five members launched the company Le Collectif Zonzons in Lyon, France. Today, more than twenty artists, technicians, costume designers, decorators, actors, and writers work for the group. Everyone at Zonzons shares a desire for displaying the character and greatness of Guignol – marrying tradition to modernity by combining contemporary theatre techniques with the popular puppet form. The Zonzons take the lineage of Guignol of Lyon by creating a rich and innovative repertoire where moments of folly and mischief are realized in the iconic character. Le Collectif  Zonzons stages shows for all ages, children and adults alike. The company’s home base is located at Théâtre Municipal Le Guignol de Lyon.

Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz –
Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz is a non-profit institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in the West Los Angeles area. This 220-seat theater welcomes multidisciplinary and multicultural shows. TRK’s mission is to be an open window on French and international cultures, as well as to inspire and sustain a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Links –
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz – http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Event Page – http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com/2014/08/03/guignol-de-lyon-le-pot-de-confiture
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Raymond-Kabbaz/43864706321
• Facebook Event Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/448123778671742

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For more information, a spot on the media guest list, photos, or to schedule an interview, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at lynn@greengalactic.com or 213-840-1201.