Kerberos AKA Cerberus, a three-headed dog
From the production From Orpheus and Eurydice (1990), Christiania Teater
Kerberos, also known as Cerberus, a three-headed dog, was a shadow puppet in Christiania Teater's production Orpheus and Eurydice. The text was written by Anne Thomte, inspired by the Greek myth of the lyre player Orpheus, and developed by the ensemble. The shadow puppets in the production was inspired by Greek urn paintings, and they were designed and made by the French performing artist and visual artist Luc Amoros, who also did the stage design. The production was directed and choreographed by Mona Wiig and Inger Buresund. Michele Augustin and Luc Amoros instructed the performers in shadow play. Hans Rønningen composed and performed the music. Christiania Teater collaborated with The Norwegian Touring Theatre and Compagnie Amoros et Augustin in the production. Orpheus and Eurydice had its world premiere June 9, 1990, in Black Box Teater's venue Lille Scene.
Information
(Objekt ID 95135)| Object type | Puppet |
| Production date | June 9, 1990 |
| Category | Shadow figure |
| Themes | Children, Shadow figure |
| Size | 90 centimetres in length and 60 centimetres in width |
| License | © Mona Wiig |
Teaterfigur
Teaterfigurer, bedre kjent som teaterdukker, har spilt på norske scener i generasjoner, til stor glede for publikum i alle aldersgrupper.
rior to the production, Christiania Teater arranged a workshop, led by Luc Amoros. He introduced new puppeteering techniques for work with two-dimensional shadow puppets, and new lighting sources. The workshop was open to professional puppeteers. Amoros is based in Strasbourg, and is the artistic director of Compagnie Luc Amoros (formerly Compagnie Amoros et Augustin).
With this production, Christiania Teater wanted to learn about shadow puppetry from one of the most acknowledged artists and innovators of the has roots in Asian culture.
You may also have a look at the other shadow puppets registered from this production in Sceneweb. These are Orpheus, Eurydice and Charon. There is also a photo of the shadow puppet Hades, which can be seen if clicking the production entry.
SOURCES:
Mona Wiig's private archive
Donated by: Mona Wiig
Transported 18.11.2019.
Kerberos or Cerberus, the three-headed dog, was made as a two-dimensional shadow puppet. The material was white plastic, which was both bendable and firm. The cut-out figure was sprayed with black paint.
The shadow puppet Kerberos or Cerberus depended on the light source, which was moved by the puppeteer during the performance. The strength of the light was also regulated by the puppeteer, who had to operate the shadow puppet and the light source at the same time during performance.
The production Orpheus and Eurydice became the last production by Christiania Teater. The company had existed for five years, and made a total of five productions, one each year. Orpheus and Eurydice was performed four times.
The reason why Christiania Teater stopped its activity was that the working situation of Mona Wiig, the artistic director of the company, changed. In 1990, the work to establish the three-year pilot project called Norsk Dukketeaterakademi (literally: Norwegian Puppetry Academy, 1991-94), for which Wiig became the dean. The pilot project was to lead to a three-year Bachelor study in puppetry at Østfold University College. Wiig led this study until 1998. In other words, Christiania Teater had to give way to a national college education in puppetry.
| Luc Amoros (person) | – Designer, Puppet Maker, Stage designer |
| Christiania Teater (organization) | – Creator |
| The Norwegian Touring Theatre (Riksteatret) (organization) | – Creator |
| Orpheus and Eurydice (production) | – Shadow figure |