Generally there are many people who put together a show and run it, but in the case of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer most of the credit goes to just one multitalented individual who does the acting, the entertaining puppetry, controls the lighting and all together makes a wonderful illusion of a world both precious and tragic; Tim Watts is “performer, deviser, director, producer, puppeterr and animator” and he’s equally adept at all these roles. He does get some help from a great supporting team – Arielle Gray who collaborated on the show, Anthony Watts who created the sets and gadgets, and Mat Cheethum who put it all against a great wallpaper of sound design.
Today (July 11th, 2010) will be the last chance to see Alvin Sputnik:Deep Sea Explorer in New York before 2012, so if you want to see Watts’ great multimedia extravaganza (without going to Perth Australia to see him in his home venue with Weeping Spoon Productions), make it down to PS 122 for the 3:00 PM Showing. Why should you go? Becuase this production is a masterful mix of music, animation, puppetry and some great solo performance acting. Take a trip with Watts for an hour on a fantastic voyage to the bottom of the ocean where he undergoes a transformation from a poor unfortunate soul to the savior of humanity (as well savior of his own humanity) as he meets interesting underwater creatures and sees the ruins of the “past” – our present. The point of view changes from live action, to puppetry to animation, very effortlessly.
Here is a nice highlight reel of this show (make sure your sound is on to get the full effect) , which was last here in New York for Fringe 2009. Just try to clear your schedule to make it down to this final showing in the undergroundzero Festival at PS122.
A very joyous tragedy where Alvin find wonder along a perilous quest and helps us see how precious life can really be. See his world in all its multimedia glory.
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Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer Tim Watts (creator/performer/animator) Performance Space 122150 1st Avenue at East 9th Street
New York, NY Tickets ($20) may be purchased online here or via phone at (212) 352-3101.
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