The Jersey City Theater Center opened its doors to The Bread and Puppet Theater’s performance of “The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus”. It was overall a surprising event to witness. The opening chant to start the performance was “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido” which translates to “The people united will never be defeated”. A very strong phrase that sums up the theme of the following acts. Looking into its history, Bread and Puppet is known for its radical, unapologetic approach to political theater, often using giant puppets and live music to evoke powerful imagery and messages. This performance was a commentary on the human rights and awareness of a government showing negligence to its citizens. Imagining this narrative through Bread and Puppet’s unique aesthetic containing larger-than-life puppets, haunting masks, and surreal, dream-like sequences. Their performances often blur the lines between absurdity and profound insight. The live music, integral to their shows, heightens the emotional stakes, providing both a melancholic and hopeful undercurrent to the narrative.
The creative team behind Bread and Puppet used their hallmark papier-mâché creations to symbolize scenarios of the past while making visuals digestible for children of younger ages to understand. Despite the subject matter being more for adults, it was surprisingly packed with children sitting at the front. Given their history, Bread and Puppet embeds a strong critique of contemporary issues within a puppet performance. It touched on the themes of war, and socio-political failures that led to the demise and death of people from the lower class. It’s a stark reminder wrapped in allegory and art, urging the audience to reflect on their place in the world and the legacy they’re leaving behind. The use of space in a Bread and Puppet performance is always dynamic and engaging, involving the audience as co-conspirators in the journey. I, myself, wondered what real-life scenarios were being referenced in the performance, but left the theater center well informed on the message they tried to convey. They read and performed stories of people being wronged by government officials or being the casualty of something indirectly caused by a person of higher power. The story of a woman being incarcerated after using her well-given right to vote was something I didn’t expect to be played out in puppet form. But it’s a good reminder that we are blessed to be in a time where we can proudly use that right.
The Beginning after the End of Humanity Circus encapsulates the essence of Bread and Puppet: confronting harsh realities while celebrating the indomitable spirit of life. It’s a testament to their commitment to not just theater, but to the idea of art as a means of activism and introspection. This performance left me with more questions than answers, probably a common thought after witnessing a Bread and Puppet production. At the end of the day, it certainly was an enthralling performance that challenges provokes, and resonates long after the final puppet has taken its bow. A charming thing at the end as the performers were bowing down was when they were giving out their famous sourdough rye bread with aioli to the audience. What an iconic way to conclude the show, it was a wonderful experience.
