It was back in 1970 when Paul Kriby and Adriana Kelder set out to bring original theatre productions into the lives of those who seldom have the chance to experience the performing arts. What began as a two-person, one-wagon, puppet show travelling in Vancouver Island, Canada, grew into a major theatrical organization with a company of 25 by the early nineties. The actors, musicians, artists and technicians toured in six large wagons, each one pulled by a team of matched bay Clydesdales (cart horses) hoofing through Canada and the United States. During its horse-drawn years, ‘The Caravan Stage Company’ gained popularity in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Washington, Oregon, California, and Florida.
From a single wagon to a tall ship
For 27 years, the shows were staged in the eye-catching 80 ft tensile tent, the Cosmodrome, which was ringed with colourful wall murals depicting various scenes. The wagons were placed inside the Cosmodrome and would be transformed into a variety of sets and scenery.
Since 1993, Caravan has realized a new dream by providing a most unique venue: the Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre. The design of the ship is based on the traditional Thames River Sailing Barge, 30 meters in length, a 7.2 meter beam, and a blend of the best contemporary marine and theatre technology. With its shallow draft of 1.2 meters and self-lowering masts, the boat can access virtually any waterfront community. The ‘Amara Zee’ incorporates the sailing masts and rigging for scenery, light and sound equipment and special effects.
The boat contains a complete lighting and sound system, hydraulics, generators, and both sail and diesel power.
The shows are staged on the deck, on the masts and rigging, on the water and the land surrounding the vessel.
The audiences enjoy the performances from shore, dock or riverbank.
Expect the unexpected
Caravan Stage Company performances embody the long tradition of traveling theatrical productions with their combination of innovative stylistic staging, imaginative music and dance, and colorful entertaining themes. The Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre integrates text, poetry, video, humor, music, movement, masks, props and special effects into a magical theatrical experience that is both compelling and inspirational. Since its founding in 1970, the Caravan has provided invaluable experiences for young people from all sectors of our multi-faceted society.
Hundreds of people have learned the craft of theatre, while experiencing a demanding living environment in which to develop self-reliance, individual confidence, and motivation. In this way, the Caravan seeks to serve as a sustainable model for harmony and diversity. The Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre in this sense presents a floating venue that crosses the realities of the present with the bank of the past, setting sail for the infinite possibilities of the future. This is also conveyed by the Company’s current performance: Hacked….The treasures of the empire!
HACKED ….
For their 43rd season, the show is an experimental musical inspired by the headlines and news concerning international media conglomerates. As an operatic fantasy, the show features a band of virtual pirate hackers who have ‘revoked’ the ‘Treasure of the Empire’. Pirates run into the audience space as they are chased by the Security Surveillance Police (SSP). They see the Mammon Corp Vault in front of them and realize they are trapped between the Vault & the SSP. They decide to climb the front of the Vault, hoping to escape on the other side. Near the top of the Vault, they are suddenly confronted by a grasping, gurgling gargoyle and are then sucked into his ghastly mouth. This huge creature is the infamous and all-powerful Monster Mammon, complete with tentacles and three singing human heads named Raptura, Verita and Tradgia.
The plot revolves around the machinations of the Mammon trying to find the ‘Treasure of the Empire’, of which the whereabouts are known only to the Hackers. The Mammon must find this treasure or else the Mammon Corp Regime will collapse. This show explores the quest for freedom of expression in political and social discourse within the world of digital and virtual media. It examines the ubiquitous presence of surveillance and probes the ethics of the dissolution of the public and democratic control over the justice and penal systems.
A stage for global performances
BBC Chartering supports the Caravan Stage Company’s Tall Ship Theater by helping the team around Adriana Kelder and Paul Kirby move the ‘Amara Zee’ over the
Atlantic. On June 15, 2013, BBC Chartering loaded the 30m long and 125mt heavy tall ship on board the m/v BBC Ohio in Salerno, Italy for transport to Houston.
Upon arrival in Houston the ‘Amara Zee’ is supposed to travel on its own keel to New Orleans to prepare for a last delivery of the current show, ‘Hacked…The Treasure of the Empire.’ The performance is scheduled for the end of September.
Adriana Kelder, show producer and designer of the Caravan Stage Company, was excited about the successful loading. ‘When the ‘Amara Zee’ finally settled on to the deck of the BBC Ohio, a resounding cheer was heard from the crews!’
Svend Andersen, BBC Chartering’s CEO proudly said, ‘We are excited to see the Amara Zee move with BBC Chartering and we are pleased that we can help bring the Caravan Stage Company’s shows to people around the world.’