Disembodied Animal Head Theatre

2007-09-21T10:43:00.001-07:00

Ho, Netizens!

While I apologize for the brief hiatus we have been forced to take (involving the unfortunate fact that half of our ensemble is composed of predatory carnivores, and the other half consists of all-to-trusting herbivores) I can't help but be excited, as one of my all-time favorite actors has returned to the stage in a production of the Bard's most famous play A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The actor of the hour is one R. Andrew Moore, who first caught my attention as The Fox in Aesop's Fables. It was his turn as an angel in the liturgical drama Hark! Harold the Angel Sings! that truly put him on the map. To this day, I can't help but smile when I recall his Fagin in Oliver! All in all, it can be said that Mr. Moore has performed in a number of plays with exclamation points in the titles.

In Midsummer, Mr. Moore breathes life into the role of Robin Starveling, unsung hero of the play. This lettered thespian digs into his role with great relish, stealing every scene. Indeed, if I have one complaint, it is that he is too good, and thus distracting from the humorous subplots (something about a fairy king and queen, and a handful of lovers lost in the woods.)

Rumor has it that he is planning a one-man version of Midsummer. If true, I shall die a happy rubber chicken knowing that the Bard's words live on, imbued with the strength and power of one of our generation's greatest players.

Excelsior!

-- Tex

2007-09-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

New Episode Coming September 8th!

UPDATE: Several members of our ensemble have gone missing, whilst several of the more ... shall we say "predatory?" members have been strutting around the DAHT studio complex with a strange look of satisfaction on their faces. As soon as we sort out the disappearance, we will be able to complete episode two of our new season. -- THE MGMT.

2007-07-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is out! Wow! What a book! Rowling has really hit one out of the park this time, and we here at DAHT are so excited to be reading the final chapter in this exciting tale of The Boy Who Lived. I mean, after "The Half Blood Prince" all bets are off!

(Oh yeah ... the ensemble worked up something from "Twelfth Night.")

Anyway ... back to Harry!

[NOTE: Sorry about the sound issues. If you follow the link to Revver, and choose to watch this video in glorious Quicktime, the problem goes away. Not sure what it is!]

2007-06-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

RE-RUNS!

Ho, Netizens!

Before we delight you with the next installment of Season Two, let's take a look back at the second episode of Season One:

It has been pointed out to me that Ophelia and Hamlet are not actually brother and sister. To those unctuous would-be scholars of the bard who dare correct my interpretation, I say get bent, thou froward crook-pated nut-hooks!

Laertes is clearly not a blood relation. Examine the difference of diction and syllabic distribution along the meter. Subtle, but it does the trick! And examine this passage:

Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads.
And recks not his own rede.

- Ophelia, from Act I sc 3

Clearly these are the words of a sister spoken to her brother! Good God! Do I have to write a dissertation on the subject?

Excelsior!

-- Tex

2007-04-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

And So Season Two Begins!

In this episode, the ensemble excerpts The Tempest.

2007-04-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

RE-RUNS!

Ho, Netizens!

Tex here, your humble host and sometimes balladeer!

Are you ready for season two of our wonderful excursion into the arts and culture on the internet?

It's coming! It's coming soon! It will be here before you know it!

In the meantime, let's revisit the first season, shall we?

Here is episode one, featuring an excerpt from Othello the Moor.

Enjoy!

2007-02-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

Whither Disembodied Animal Head Theatre?

Unfortunately, the entire cast and crew of DAHT, every last member, booked paying work on national commercials. So as much as they love the theatre, they simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to be paid.

We hope you understand.

The ensemble shall reconvene sometime in April.

Maybe.

2006-12-13T13:52:00.000-08:00

Ho, Netizens!

Well, the wheels of production are slowly turning here at the brand new production facility! I am being fitted for a new red bow-tie later this afternoon, and shall begin my hosting duties posthaste!

We are open to suggestions! What famous Shakespearean monologue, scene, etc. would you like to see dramatized by our ensemble? What plays would you like to see excerpted?

Let us know in the comments below!

Excelsior!

Tex

2006-11-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

Ho, Netizens!

Just a quick note: I had a wonderful conversation with one Prof. Interrobang over brunch this morning. He has asked me to be the face of ERP! the "English Reclamation Project." Prof. Interrobang states, and I happen to agree, that the state of the world today is a result of 1) sub-par education and 2) crappy communication skills. ERP! proposes to change the world by expanding the vocabulary. (Well, the English speaking world at any rate.)

From my own view, if we were to bring back into common parlance such beautiful pieces of the language as "vouchsafe," "huggermugger," and "avaunt" my life's work of presenting the works of Shakespeare would forsooth and henceforth be a task more easily borne.

So we shall see what develops from all of this. In the meantime, here is a rather interesting glossary: Glossary of Archaisms.

Excelsior!

Tex

2006-11-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ho, Netizens!

I do hope you are having a wonderful autumn thus far! The mood around the new studio facility is upbeat to say the least! Season Two of "Disembodied Animal Head Theatre" is right around the corner, and the ensemble has been rehearsing madly the upcoming selections from the Bard's oeuvre. (It looks like our first outing will be "The Taming of the Shrew," but you didn't hear that from me!)

I am also in negotiations with Mr. Phillip Horne to embark upon a journal parallel to the journey currently underway (or perhaps perpendicular. Well, certainly at no less than an acute angle to the journey currently underway.) The idea is "Tex Presents: Wyrd Shakespeare!" in which I host clips of strange deviations of the Bard's work from around this green-blue cosmic marble we call home, and conduct interviews with those who dare stretch the contents of the Folio beyond convention. This concept would depend heavily upon you, the fans of this modest undertaking, to help ferret out "wyrd" (i.e. "weird") Shakespeare wherever it may be.

There is another bit of assistance I shall require from you, fans and friends of this foray into flairful framings of fantastic feats of Shakespeare's facile faculties! Consider this a poll, if you wish. I seek the vigorous viewpoints you, the audience, have to offer.

And so the question on the table is thus: Should I replace my red bow tie with an ascot? I look quite dashing in am ascot, very elegant. Of course, the red bow tie is a bit of a trademark, I suppose. So what is it to be? Bow tie or ascot? You be the judge. I put the fate of my neck in your hands. (Please don't choke me!)

Finally, our shiftless DVD designer is taking his sweet time in producing our "Disembodied Animal Head Theatre - season one" disc. Hopefully it will be available in time for the holidays. Of course, I am referring here to "Easter."

That's all for now! If you haven't already, please enjoy "Tex: In Studio" from a couple of posts back! And until we meet again ...

EXCELSIOR!

-- Tex

2006-10-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2006-10-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

Ho, Netizens!

Did I say I'd have a video for ou last weekend? So sorry! Or, as they say in the music industry "my bad!" Here is a glimpse at the album I am currently hard at work on!

As for all of you great fans and friends of Disembodied Animal Head Theatre proper, never fear! Season two shall be begin soon!

2006-10-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Ho, Netizens!

Tex here.

Wow! What a wild summer! And my musical album is almost half done! I've invited a video crew to come on in to catch the magic as it happens! Look for the results this weekend!

Excelsior!

-- Tex

2006-10-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

iHola mis Amigos!

Mi nombre es Mario de Netta. ¡Soy la ayudante al productor grande, impresionante!

Señor Horne me dijo escribirle. ¡Necesito decirle qué ha sucedido!

Primero, se acaba la pintura. ¡Mire estos cuadros bonitos!

Esta pintura demuestra como cuáles es producir el teatro en Los Ángeles.

Quisiera precisar algunos detalles. Éste es el writer/director. ¡Él está experimentando la alegría de la creación!

¡Muy bueno! ¡Él está viviendo el sueño! ¡Un qué bastardo afortunado!

Aquí está un cuadro del encargado del teatro, tratando el troupe del teatro con el respecto que él se siente que merecen:

¡Es así que realista, es espantoso! Michelangelo di Lodovico Buornarroti ha capturado la nobleza de los encargados del teatro. ¿Pienso que el pintor debe tener cierto conocimiento de primera mano, no usted?

Finalmente, aquí está una pintura del conjunto. ¡La nota cómo haber organizado bien y libera de drama personal que son!

¡Es la verdad! ¡Nuestro pintor es muy talentoso y maravilloso! Deseo que él me enseñaría cómo pintar. He tomado lecciones de un americano nombrado Bob Ross. Es mi deseo pintar mejor.

Aquí está una foto pasada para demostrarle la obra de arte entera.

¡Gracias por leer esta actualización! ¡Vaya ahora, por favor a www.cafepress.com/dalmotion y compre muchas camisetas así que Andrew puede retirarse de su trabajo del día y concentrarse en la fabricación de los pequeños videos estúpidos de la marioneta para el Internet!

Sinceramente,

Mario de Netta

2006-09-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

An Update from Mr. Horne, Producer of Disembodied Animal Head Theatre:

Hello Once Again! Phillip Horne Here, with A Very Special Update for all of You Theatre Aficionados and Fanatics!

This Humble Blog has gone Without Update for Some Time! Our Deepest Apologies! I have Journeyed back to Africa to visit with Family, and Failed to Turn Things Over to my Assistant!

Tex is still in the Recording Studio, breathing Life into Old Standards! And the Ensemble continues Their Touring Show! All Shall Reassemble in a Month's Time to Prepare for SEASON TWO of our Broadcast!

Mario De Netta, my Assistant and Go-Fer at DAHT will Update Us All on the Construction Project back in Los Angeles -- Very Soon!

I Remain Yours,

Phillip Horne

2006-08-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

An Update from Mr. Horne, Producer of Disembodied Animal Head Theatre:

Well Hello Again, Old Friends! Phillip Horne here to Fill You In on the Latest developments!

First and Foremost, Feast your Eyes on our Completed Structure!

(My Wife suggested the Reflection Pool . . . I think It Adds Quite an Aesthetic Boost!)

There is Much Work yet To Be Done on the Interior of this Grand Structure!

We Shall Commence Construction on the Studio and Theatre Facilities Post-Haste!

BY THE WAY! Now is a Perfect Time for me to Remind You, Fans, Friends and Frequenters of this Site and Show! You Can Assist Our Efforts by Paying a Visit to www.cafepress.com/dalmotion and Purchasing Mass Quantities of Tee-Shirts! Yay!

Our Muralist, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buornarroti, has kept His Portion of the Grand Project a Complete Secret! HOWEVER! One of the Ensemble managed to Sneak In and Snap a Picture of Mr. Buornarroti's Work-In-Progress! Here it is:

That is All for Now, Friends! Tex Informs Me that a Very Special Bonus Episode of DAHT Shall Be Uploaded Before Too Long -- So CHECK BACK SOON!

Until Next Time, I Remain

Faithfully Yours,

Phillip Horne

2006-07-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

HUZZAH!

Ho, Netizens! Tex here, your humble host of heroic couplets! I must apologize for not journaling about this earlier, but episodes 29 and 30 of The 5 Minute Show have arrived, and you may now see part one and two of an interview featuring Yours Truly, ThePete, and the very lovely, very vivacious Beverly Soques!

This is the host of The 5 Minute Show, ThePete. A worldly man, very knowledgeable and sharp-witted, for some reason he doesn't know who Wm. Shakespeare is. Odd. I blame public education.

Oh, the gem of The 5 Minute Show, the true star of the program, Beverly Soques. So attractive and so talented. I'll have to have her on the show sometime!

In fact, I shall have her on the show soon! We have just wrapped on a "hiatus episode" that shall grace these pages on the nonce!

In meantimes, I must scurry back to the recording studio -- platinum albums don't make themselves, you know! So ta-ta for now!

-- Tex

2006-07-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

An Update from Mr. Horne, Producer of Disembodied Animal Head Theatre:

Hello again, Theatre Fanatics! Phillip Horne here again, with an Update of our Very Important Happenings!

The Old Studio is razed to the ground and the New Facility has be raised to the sky! Our Foreman, Mahatama Joe (below, at bottom center) asked his Lovely Wife Julia to e-mail this photo of the Dome, currently surrounded by scaffolding. I must apologize for the Poor Quality of this Picture, it was taken by a Low Resolution Camera Phone:

As you can see, the Workers are Quite Pleased with what they have Accomplished!

As soon as the foyer was completed, our muralist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buornarroti began work on the decorative trompe l'ooeil that Shall Adorne it! He is keeping it Top Secret until Finished (Artists!) but He has Shared the following "Study" Sketch to give us a Sneak Peak at What Is In Store:

I Say! I cannot Wait to see the Finished Mural!

Truly Exciting Things are Happening Here at Disembodied Animal Head Theatre!

-- Phillip Horne

2006-07-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Ho, Netizens!

Tex here, reporting in fresh from the recording studio! My CD is coming along swimmingly . . . I don't wish to give too much away at this juncture, but suffice it to say it won't be such a "Silent Night" when my compilation rings out across the landscape like "Silver Bells". I suppose you could say "Hark! The Rubber Chicken Sings!" But more about that little side project later.

I am here today to ask you to dig deep and support Disembodied Animal Head Theatre. Yes, this is a pledge drive for the little show that strives to bring the arts and culture back to the internet in a dignified fashion! Just think about all those young hackers and MySpacers and online gamers out there who haven't the foggiest notion of what is an heroic couplet! Children, living their whole lives ne'er knowing the difference between prose and iambic pentameter verse! Ne'er knowing a soliloquy from a sonnet! It brings a tear to one's eye, to dwell upon the gravitas of the situation.

We were planning a telethon, with our ensemble answering the phones, until we realized the inherent problem this posed:

Egad! How are they to answer the phones? An insurmountable difficulty indeed. So we have come to the following solution: If you shall simply click this link, and pledge $25 (plus shipping and handling) you shall receive as our gift, the following t-shirt as modeled by ensemble member James Tiberius (James Tiberius not included):
So what says you? Shall you support the toil and trouble of an ensemble bent on cultural restoration? The children of tomorrow are at your mercy. With your donations, we can refill the coffers and continue our fine quality programming.

To paraphrase the Bard from Measure for Measure, "If money be the food of video production, pay on!"

Excelsior!

-- Tex

2006-07-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

An Update from Mr. Horne,
Producer of Disembodied Animal Head Theatre:

Hello, all you Wonderful People! Greetings to the Lovers of The Classics, and Salutations to all Lovers, Singers and Clowns! Hello and Hello again! Phillip Horne, here, producer of Disembodied Animal Head Theatre. Back in my childhood, as a spritely young calf frolicking on the range in Kenya, I happened to wander into a production of King Lear directed by that Wudermensch of Theatrical Magic, Peter Brook. My life was forever changed. As soon as I was old enough, I caught a container ship to England, and took up studies at University, eventually finding my way to the West End. As I neared retirement the urge to give back to society overwhelmed me, and so I began this fruitive endeavor of bringing The Classics alive via an ensemble cast of Disembodied Animal Heads, hosted by a Rubber Chicken!

Enough about me!

As Tex alluded to in his prior posting, there are Great Things Afoot here at DAHT! I am pleased to announce Our Plans for a New Disembodied Animal Head Theatre Studio and Cultural Complex!

Our current facility is to be razed early next week, and plans have been drafted for the new building! Here is a sneak look at what is ahead:

OUR CURRENT FACILITY

Oh, how facile our facility! Although rich with Hollywood History, this soundstage is anything but state-of-the-art. It's Better Days behind it, it is time for something new -- something exciting!

ARTIST RENDERING OF NEW COMPLEX

Now here's a Pretty Thing! Once completed, The New Complex will house all the Production Operations a programme of our size and scope demands, as well as providing a number of New Venues for Los Angeles Theatre! Hooray!

I am also pleased to announce that we have contracted the great Italian muralist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti to do the decorative trompe l'oeil for our foyer! Hurray! Mr. Buonarroti, I am told, has done some stupendous work in Italy. I look foward to reviewing his plans for our Modest Little Building!

(An image of Mr. Buonarroti is to the left. Ah, artists. Ask for a photograph, and they send a pencil drawing!)

Our tired, old computer system is soon to be replaced by a Brand-New, State-Of-The-Art Server, pictured below!

Absolutely Fantastic, No? I'm told that it is simply frightening, what this machine is capable of doing!

I will continue to update you as this project goes forward! It is truly an Exciting Time here at Disembodied Animal Head Theatre!

-- Phillip Horne

2006-07-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

A Special Message from Your Host . . .

Ho, Netizens!

Well, exciting things are certainly afoot here at DAHT! As those of you who are members of the Official DAHT Fan Club know, the ensemble has been madly rehearsing Shakespeare's Timon of Athens for a lightning road tour of the 47 contiguous states and Texas! First stop is Friendship, Arkansas where the ensemble shall bring Timon's story to life onstage at the Tack and Feed Co-op! From thence it goes, glory bound!

Yours Truly finds himself back in the recording studio, preparing another album of favorites and standards, to be released later this year! The old vocal cords are a mite rusty, but I am giving it ev'ry ounce!

I can hear you now . . . whither DAHT? Wherefore art we neglecting that which has brought us so much fame and fortune. Well, such is our success that the management has decided to fully renovate our studios! Yes! When we return in the fall with all new episodes, our drab, black background shall be replaced by wonders yet unseen! The coming weeks shall see postings here detailing the transformation!

So until the fall, I bid thee adieu! Parting is such sweet sorrow!

Exuent Tex!

2006-06-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

EPISODE FIVE! HUZZAH!

Cesare Piazza returns to the stage to render forth Duke Vincentio's monologue from act 3, scene 1 of Shakespeare's masterpiece Measure for Measure.

Demonstrating amazing prescience, theatrical maven Garrick posted his leet simulcast on May 19th! Woot, indeed.

Enjoy!

2006-05-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

Saints be praised! Episode four is completed and uploaded for your viewing pleasure!

The walk-out is all but ended. Pursuant to the agreement made betwixt labor and management, Tex must render forth an apology for his overwrought introduction back in episode 2.

BEHOLD THE AWESOME POWER OF THE INTERNET!
A leet translation "simulcast" of the Shakespearean words brought to life in this week's episode can be found here, courtesy of theatrical savant Garrick.

2006-04-28T22:30:00.000-07:00

Ho, Netizens!

'Tis I again, Tex, your humble servant and host for Disembodied Animal Head Theatre!

Firstly, allow me this opportunity to give thanks to all of you. The outpouring of e-mails from all around this blue-green orb expressing support and inquiring as to when episode four of our meager broadcast shall be available has been, quite simply, stunning. Your kind words have meant so much to this simple rubber chicken.

Secondly, you will be happy to know that our labor problems are coming to a head -- no pun intended! The ensemble has agreed to return to the broadcast, contingent upon the fulfillment of certain bric-a-brac and nonsense. Never fear, the show shall go on! (As an aside, I have retained Mr. de Netta as my personal assistant. He aspires to properly join the ensemble someday, but must first intern before being granted full membership. Personally, I feel that he has the talent -- nay, the moxie -- to be the head of the ensemble. No pun intended. Alas, such a circumvention of the rules would be deemed unfair to those who have navigated their way through the correct channels.)

Finally, and on a more scholarly note, I wish to draw your attention to mononymic theatrical impresario, Garrick. You no doubt recognize the name . . . Garrick is the creative genius behind that bold new form of theatrical expression named "Llama Drama". Yes, his full-scale production of Hello Dolly with a cast of 250 llamas in full period attire shall forever be remembered as a milestone of theatrical progress; progress that reaches as far back as Aeschylus and Longinus. Well, Garrick has since moved on to a project of great ambition: He has taken it upon himself to translate the whole of William Shakespeare's works into something called "Leet". I've been told "Leet" (or "1337", whatever that means) is some sort of feral-creolesque techno language. At any rate, it is a bold undertaking, and we wish Garrick well.

Here are some samples, from Henry V, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Tempest. Enjoy! Or as the Leetfolk say, Woohoo!

Excelsior!

-- Tex

2006-04-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Episode the Third has arrived for your enjoyment.

Due to a labor dispute (see last entry) our ensemble has staged a walk-out. The show must go on, however, and Tex has discovered a daring new talent to debut in this episode.

2006-04-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

A Special Note from Your Host . . .

Ho, Netizens!

It appears that my rather lengthy introduction to Mr. Piazza's well-rehearsed performance of Hamlet's famous soliloquy from Act III Scene i prevented said artist from fully sharing his craft. As a result, I understand that the ensemble has staged a "walk-out" (how do disembodied heads walk?) until such a time as I tender an apology for my verbosity.

I am bound by my sacred honor to maintain integrity in the face of this "labor dispute" and refuse to coddle over-sensitive artist-types who have fallen to pieces on the nonce. Hopefully the majority of the cast will rally to the side of the true victim in this matter, namely me.

Meantimes, yours truly has been combing the City of Angels for a performer willing to cross the picket line, as it were, and satisfy the Shakespearean desires of the literally thousands of arts and culture fanatics who have found their way to this corner of the internet in the past few weeks.

I do apologize to you, the viewers, for this disruption in service.

"If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended: That you have but slumbered here . . . " (but then, I'm certain you know the rest!)

Excelsior!

-- Tex

2006-03-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

Episode 2 is now available for your viewing pleasure.

This episode features Hamlet's famous soliloquy from Act III Scene i from the eponymous play, as performed by Cesare Piazza, a senior member of our ensemble.

Piazza is most well-known for his award and citation of merit winning, solo performance of Jesus Christ: Superstar on off-off-off-Broadway. Piazza has performed in many Shakespearean plays, including some not actually written by the Bard. He resides in Reseda with his borzoi.

2006-03-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

Episode 1 is now available for viewing.

This episode features a scene from William Shakespeare's Othello the Moor.

We hope you enjoy it.

2006-03-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

Each week, an excerpt from great stage drama or literature shall be interpreted and performed by our ensemble cast of disembodied animal heads.