Dr. Irrwitzers Testamente* (The Testament of Dr. Irrwitzer)

Dr. Irrwitzers Testamente* (The Testament of Dr. Irrwitzer) by The Puppety Company Dukkenikkerne: Are you among those finding that New Year’s Eve did not meet your expectations? Do not despair! In Dr. Irrwitzers Testamente you get the opportunity to experience a tremendous sprint towards the new year, for better and worse...

*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

Information

(Objekt ID 2448)
Object type Production
Premiere May 20, 2000
Produced by The Puppetry Company Dukkenikkerne
Coproducers Nordland Visual Theatre
Based on Trylledrikken by Michael Ende
Audience Families (from 10)
Language Norwegian
Keywords Puppetry, Melodrama, Performance for the Family
Running period May 20, 2000  

Requirements to venue

Minimum stage width 6m
Maximum stage width 6m
Minimum stage depth 5m
Maximum stage depth 5m
Minimum stage height 3m
Maximum stage height 3m
Blackout Yes
Rigging time 150 minutes
Downrigging time 60 minutes
Audience 100
More

In Dr. Irrwitzers Testamente* (The Testament of Dr. Irrwitzer) by The Puppetry Company Dukkenikkerne we are allowed to enter Doctor Beelzebub Irrwitzer’s laboratory the very night of New Year's Eve.

Irrwitzer and his Aunt Tyrannja (yes, that is her name) have been put in a terrible pinch. Only a few hours remain before the year is past, and none of them has been able to do as many evil deeds as they have made a contract with Lucifer – the very devil – to do! Separately they have been assigned missions to spread as much as possible of sulphur, epidemics, bitterness and bile. Now time is running out, the clock already shows five.

In addition to this devilish timing, the animals' council is after them. The animals have gotten wind of the evil plans of Irrwitzer and Tyrannja and they have sent the cat Maurizio and the raven Jakob to spy on them. For Irrwitzer and Tyrannja to manage catching up with the time they have lost, they need to employ all the magic powers they can possibly bring forth. The solution turns out to be the recipe for The Satanarchaeolidealcohellish Notion Potion, and this is no ordinary drink to quench thirst.

Dr. Irrwitzers Testamente is based on Michael Ende's novel The Night of Wishes or The Satanarchaeolidealcohellish Notion Potion. In humorous interaction between puppets, actor and audience we are allowed to take part in a different New Year’s Eve celebration.

In the English edition of the novel, Dr. Beelzebub Irrwitzer is named Dr. Beelzebub Preposteror and his aunt Tyrannja is named Tyrannia Vampirella. The cat Maurizio’s name is spelled Mauricio and the raven Jakob’s name is spelled Jacob.

Horror movies and the melodramatic style of the last century were among the inspiration sources for Dr. Irrwitzers Testamente.

*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

Contributors (16)
Name Role
Michael Ende – Author
Ådne Sekkelsten – Dramatised by
Ådne Sekkelsten – Direction
Gaute Storaas – Music
Jack Markussen – Stage design
Monika Solheim – Stage design
Jan N.C. Holden – Lighting design
Jan Erik Skarby – Lighting design
Jan N.C. Holden – Actor
Jack Markussen – Actor
Monika Solheim – Actor
Jan N.C. Holden – Puppeteer
Jack Markussen – Puppeteer
Monika Solheim – Puppeteer (Katten Mauricio)
Jack Markussen – Puppet maker
Monika Solheim – Puppet maker (assistent)
Performance dates
May 20, 2000Figurteateret i Nordland, Nordland Visual Theatre Opening night