Manual Cinema Continues to Enchant with ‘The 4th Witch’ at ArtsEmerson

Manual Cinema’s ‘The 4th Witch” at ArtsEmerson. Photos: Katie Doyle

The 4th Witch − Concept and direction by Drew Dir; Devised by Dir, Sarah Forance and Julia Miller; Original score and sound design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter; Mask Design by Julia Miller; Lighting Design by David Goodman‑Edberg; Costume / Wig Design by Sully Ratke. Presented by Manual Cinema at the Robert J. Orchard Stage, Emerson Paramount Center, 559 Washington St., Boston, through November 9.

By Mike Hoban

Manual Cinema has once again returned to the ArtsEmerson stages with their unfathomably unique brand of theatrical storytelling with The 4th Witch, a mind-bending work “inspired by” Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Told via shadow puppetry using live actors blended with silhouette cutouts beamed onto a movie screen by overhead projectors, the action is augmented by a haunting score played by a live ensemble with vocals. As the action is being projected onto the screen, the audience can simultaneously watch the actors and technicians dart around the stage to produce the images, while the three-piece ensemble (cello, violin, and keyboards), placed at the front of the stage, plays and sings.

Read more “Manual Cinema Continues to Enchant with ‘The 4th Witch’ at ArtsEmerson”

Manual Cinema’s “The End of TV” a Compelling Theatrical/Cinematic Experience

by Michele Markarian

“The End of TV” by Manual Cinema.  Screenplay by Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman.  Direction and Storyboards by Julia Vanarsdale Miller. Presented by Arts Emerson, Emerson Paramount Center, 559 Washington Street, Boston, through January 27.

“They tiptoe into your heart until you care for them so much,” is the first line of Manual Cinema’s new work, “The End of TV”. The line is from a commercial referring to cats, but works well as a through-line for the rest of the piece, which deals with love and loss and the failed promise of the American Dream against the relentless backdrop of consumerism. A self-described performance collective, design studio and film/video production company, Manual Cinema uses shadow puppets, on-the-spot video feeds, multi-channel sound design and a live, five-piece band to create a theatrical cinematic experience. 

Read more “Manual Cinema’s “The End of TV” a Compelling Theatrical/Cinematic Experience”