THE FANTASIST
In the mind of the fantasist, the real and the fanciful become dangerously blurred.
As Louise gazes into the night, her fancy takes form. Objects move, time changes … and a seductive stranger opens up a world of exhilaration and magic. Spinning together puppetry, physical theatre and original music, Theatre Témoin explore the murky depths and glorious heights of bipolar disorder.
The Fantasist toured nationally and internationally after being developed at Blue Elephant Theatre in London and going on to sell-out runs at Edfringe in 2012 and 2013.
Presented by Theatre Témoin and Cie. Traversière with support from Arts Council England.
Devising Cast: Julia Yevnine, Cat Gerrard, Julia Corrêa
Director: Ailin Conant
Mise en Scène: Julia Yevnine
Composer: Milkymee
Puppet Director: Robin Guiver
Costume Design: Kirsten Fletcher, Lydia Crimp
Lighting Design: Allan Ramsay
Set Design: Daniel Moss, Giorgio Ritucci
Puppet Design: Julia Yevnine, Katerina Damvoglou
Past Devisors: Jennifer Pearcy-Edwards, Audrey Albert
Creative Producer: Patrick Collier
Thanks to Jasmine Cullingford, Pete Williams
SUNDAY TIMES: Top Five of the Fringe
SPOONFED: Top Ten Theatre Shows to See at Edinburgh
OFF WEST END THEATRE AWARDS: Nominated – Best Sound Designer
WHATSONSTAGE: Pick of the Fringe and EIF – Top Three Physical Theatre & Dance
“Incredible stagework that will blow you away with its extraordinary use of mime, original music and puppetry. A gripping, imaginative, dark tale…you cannot afford to miss.” ~ Alison Thomson, The Sunday Times
“What the show does so well via the puppetry is to get you right inside Louise’s mind and make you understand both the confusion and yet also the terrible glittering lure of a world of bright lights and butterflies.” ~ Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
“Edinburgh highlight…An encouraging sign [for UK puppetry].” ~ Peter Glanville, The Guardian
“Theatre Témoin sensitively and inventively explores the thorny issue of bipolar disorder…Ingenious stagecraft.” ~ Metro ★★★★
“The Fantasist grips the audience from the off in a way rarely seen and this hold is only tightened over the hour.” ~ Rebecca Paul, The Skinny ★★★★★
“Enchanting, endearing and wholly entertaining, this clever show is a must-see for your diaries at this year’s fringe.” ~ Adele Monk, ScotsGay ★★★★★
“The Fantasist is a hilarious, beautiful and utterly astonishing exploration of bipolar disorder.”
~ Alex Eades, Edinburgh Guide ★★★★★
“Astonishingly powerful…If you ever needed proof that puppet shows are a genre that deserve to be taken seriously by adult audiences, then come and view this production.” ~ Josey De Rossi, Fringe Review ★★★★★
“An example of what astonishing things can actually fit into such tight theatrical spaces…raw genius.”
~ Kelly Crocker, The Public Reviews ★★★★★
“Rarely have I seen a play that so deftly switched between beauty, joy, terror and despair.”
~ Simon Plotkin, The Latest ★★★★★
“The Fantasist is the theatrical equivalent to a full blown vision.” ~ Melissa Rynn, Stage Won ★★★★★
