I'm so enamored with Pep Bou that (with the permission of his "people") I've included much from his website here ~ including technical requirements for his shows etc. You will also find many translated reviews of his programs from all over the world. This one page has taken me longer, days longer, than any other page to assemble. I hope you like it. If there's any bubbler I'm dying to see more than any other, it's Pep Bou. After looking at the photos and reading this information, let's see if you agree....
"Pep Bou is a dreamer of impossibilities and improbabilities. The impossible forms fight to reach reality and the improbable ones arrive there."
The reviews read like poetry, please don't miss any of them toward the bottom of this page. Or you'll miss words like this, "...Bubbles round, pale, translucent, oblong, giant, iridescent. Rebellious or flexible bubbles, it is according to, but always fragile. One reaches here, while evolving/moving on the wire of a razor, the magic country of the transitory one."
Finally, I've found some "new" video of Pep Bou for you to enjoy...
Here's a link to Pep Bou in performance, taken from a foreign TV broadcast, poor quality but far better than nothing.
Here's a link to a much better Pep Bou Promo Video!
And he's loaned his name and talents to a live stage production in a theme park in Spain. The Show is called Bubble Bou. Click Here to see a piece of the commercial...
Palea Elektriki Theater "Ambrossia"
Music pantomime with soap bubbles produced in collaboration with the Departament de Cultura de la Generalitat de Catalunya and "Di Quatro"
Pep Bou returns to Volos' International Festival of Music Theatre for yet another mesmerizing and...bubbly performance.
Unlike "Buffaplanetes" and "Sabo, Sabo", the Catalan mime's highly popular previous shows, "Ambrossia" actually utilises soap bubbles to narrate a specific albeit funny story inspired by the poetry of Joan Brossa. Its fictional, cinematic and historical characters appear on stage never ceasing to underline the ephemeral quality of our existence.
First performed in 1997 the show has won critical acclaim in mime and natural theatre festivals around Europe capitalising on the visual poetry created on stage by vapor- or foam-filled bubbles that keep changing shape and colour.
Ambrossia
PEP BOU's fleeting world in a new work based on soap bubbles and steam
Catalan theatre magician PEP BOU stepped on a stage as a professional in the second half of the 70's as part of movement of mimes and actors that characterised this period. His knowledge as an architect and his passion for fine and visual arts, bring together a strong sensitivity for fleeting spaces and ductile forms. Pep Bou was member and founder of several companies as "Pa de Ral" or "La Viu Viu Teatre", but in 1982 he decides to go a step further and starts t work with soap bubbles. With Ambrossia Pep Bou once more raises the curtain on the visual poetry of soap bubbles.
This time, and different from previous show Bufaplanetes the bubbles are and end but a means in themselves. They become a fragile and completely unpredictable vehicle. This prevents the characters from knowing their true destiny.
The contact between fictitius, cinematicographic and historical characters and small, large,fleeting soap bubbles filled with foam and smoke produces comical situations with great delicacy. Hence, this theatre show intuitively suggests our ephemeral existence.
BUFAPLANETES (1982) Based on the elaboration of soap bubbles, where the unforeseeable behaviour of materials makes each performance different and multiplies its expressive options, BUFAPLANETES has been performed in theatres and festivals around the world and has obtained the following awards: First Prize in the International Festival of Vienna (France) 1985 Aplaudiment from the FAD Sebastià Gasch Prize (Spain) (1985) Special Award from the jury of the International Cannes Theatre Festival (France) (1986) Artistic Prize “Knuhrrhahn” from the city of Wilhemshaven (Germany) (1993)
SABÓ, SABÓ (1990) Based on flat films of tensoactive materials, this performance develops a new narrative for visual and poetic theatre, which is in constant evolution. More than 500 national and international stages have welcomed this piece of work which also obtained the Sebastià Gasch Award in 1990.
Post Box 111· 08440 CARDEDEU (Barcelona) ·Spain·
DIÀFAN (2003) Diàfan is a transparent art, not only of bubbles but also of the characters that make and brake the bubbles; habitants of imaginary worlds that show the essence of the human reality. In 2003 Pep Bou’s Company recieved the Premi Arc as a recoginition for his profesional career. Pep Bou complements his theatrical activity with the stage direction of MARTA CARRASCO’s dance-theatre shows: Aiguardent (1996),Blanc d’Ombra (Après Camille Claudel) (1998) and Mira’m (Se dicen tantas cosas) (2000). As well as the production of the television series SOAP(1996). Shows that are running at the moment:
AMBROSSIA With Ambrossia, Pep Bou, once more, raises the curtain on the visual poetry of soap bubbles. This time, and different from the previous shows ‘Bufaplanetes’ and ‘Sabó, Sabó’, the bubbles are not an end but a means in themselves. They become a fragile and completely unpredictable vehicle. This prevents the characters from knowing their true destiny. The contact between fictitius, cinematographic and historical characters and small, large, fleeting soap bubbles filled with foam and smoke produces comical situations with great delicacy. Hence, this theatre show intuitively suggests our ephemeral existence.
THESE REQUERIMENTS ARE PART OF THE CONTRACT
THEATRE Complete darkness No draughts (doors closed, curtain German style) The atmosphere must be moist
STAGE Scenic Stage Dimensions: 5 m high 10 m wide 8 m deep Black fitted carpet 10 x 8 m Back drops (black) Back curtain separated from the back of 70 cm as minimum (way in and out for actors) 2 tables and 8 chairs Working lights behind back drops *If it is not a wooden stage, a surface of 1 m2 must be set, since there must be, on stage, an umbrella standing on its metal tip
DRESSING ROOMS Two dressing rooms with: running water, showers, chairs, tables, coat-hangers, mirrors with appropriate lights for making-up; iron and iron-board, 4 towels, mineral non-fizzy water, drinks and fresh fruti.
LIGHTING Lighting board: 1 x 48 channel programmable lighting desk Adequate dimmer racks and multichore. Sufficient and spare power cables 40 spotlights (PC) of 1 Kw with barndoors and gel frames 1 profile 2 Kw 7 profiles 1 Kw 16 PAR 64 1 Kw with gel frames as follows: 9 lamps CP-62 (Nº 5) 7 lamps CP-60 (Nº 1) Lighting booms (see attached drawing). Variation in distance, depending on theatre Ecrans LEE:
SOUND Equipment powerful enough for the situation, if necessary (min. 1.500 W) Sound control board with 8 channels / 2 subgroups or a sending POST-FADER / L-R 2 monitors on the stage, connected to outer loudspeakers 2 mini disc reproducers 1 CD reproducer SOUND AND LIGHTING BOARD MUST BE TOGETHER, INSIDE THE CABIN AS WELL AS THE STALLS (ORCHESTRA) AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD VIEW OF THE STAGE
Tel. (34) 938 444 555 · Fax (34) 938 461 504 · www.pepbou.com· pepbou@pepbou.com
Post Box 111· 08440 CARDEDEU (Barcelona) ·Spain·
Mounting time: 8 hours once the spotlights have been installed Dismounting time: 3 hours LIGHT AND SOUND EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE INSTALLED BEFORE THE COMPANY ARRIVES PERFORMANCE RUNS APPROXIMATELY 1 h and 20 min.
The King of Soap Bubbles was invited to return by popular request with the new show called Ambrossia "Pep Bou gave 7 performances in Hong Kong and all of them were already sold out"
BUFAPLANETES
Pep Bou was member and founder of several companies as ‘Pa de Ral’ or ‘La Viu Viu Teatre’, but in 1982 he decides to go a step further and starts to work with soap bubbles.
BUFAPLANETES (1982)
Based on the elaboration of soap bubbles, where the unforeseeable behaviour of materials
makes each performance different and multiplies its expressive options, BUFAPLANETES
has been performed in theatres and festivals around the world and has obtained the
many awards.
Circus techniques have got back into contemporary theatre; so have cabaret and musichall. They all have brought old novelties such as the use of shadows, masks, puppets, magic and even fireworks. But in the whole galaxy of requisitioned theatrical wonders, Pep Bou’s BUFAPLANETES stands out as a particularly welcomed surprise. Far beyond the delight of play, Pep Bou makes us discover the fleeting although fascinating poetry of soap bubbles in an unusual and charming show.
The technical research that has accompanied this show has no predecessors in Catalonia. This is a true inter-disciplinary work where scientists, technicians and artists have joined for the stage, music and lighting design.
In one of the most extraordinary creations imaginable, Catalan theatre magician Pep Bou conjures a seductive planetarium of brilliant colour, airiness and light. Infused with the alchemy and offbeat humour of an exotic Mediterranean visual theatre tradition, BUFAPLANETES explores the fascination of a secret universe and its mysteries, large and small. Pure enchantment, technical wizardry, fleeting and fragile – and it is all done with soap bubbles. A hit in festivals across Europe.
‘With internationally recognised originality, he creates a feeling of intimate complicity and demonstrates that the stage is the meeting point for our most secret dreams"
(SUD OUEST-France)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
THESE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS ARE PART OF THE CONTRACT
THEATRE
á It is necessary to have complete darkness without any light coming from the outside
á No draughts (open doors, heating, curtains drawn)
á The atmosphere must be moist
á Minimum Dimension:
4m high
8m wide
6m to 8m deep
á A black fitted carpet (6 x 6m) is needed
á Adequate black drapes (curtains). Maskings closed
á Stair access from the stage to the stalls (orchestra)
DRESSING ROMOS
á Two dressing rooms with running water, showers, coat-hangers, tables and chairs, iron
and iron board, mirrors with appropriate lights for make-up, 3 towels, mineral non-fizzy
water, beverages and fresh fruits.
SOUND
á Equipment powerful enough for the situation, if necessary (min. 1.000 w) with sound
control board with a minimum of 4 entries with general master
á 2 monitors on the stage, connected with outer loudspeakers
á 1 CD (reproducer) with Pause, F.F. and Rewind functions
á 1 Mini disc
SOUND AND LIGHTING BOARD MUST BE TOGETHER, INSIDE THE CABIN AS
WELL AS THE STALLS (ORCHESTRA) AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD VIEW
OF THE STAGE
á Lighting board: 1 x 24 programmable
channels
á 26 spotlights (PC) of 1.000 w
á 2 profiles (ellipsoids) of 1.000 w
á 2 PAR of 1.000 w (CP. 61)
1 PAR of 1.000 w (CP. 62)
á Lighting booms. (see attached drawing)
STAFF: LOADING, UNLOADING, SETTING
á Mounting time:
6 hours once the spotlights are placed
á Dismounting time:
2 hours
á Personnel:
1Electrician,
1 Machinist,
2 people for unloading and loading
THE COMPANY ARRIVES
PERFORMANCE RUNS APPROXIMATELY 1h 20 minutes
PRESS SELECTION
THE EVENING POST WELLINGTON. NOVA ZELANDA. (04 / 03 / 2000)
Enchanted by man blowing bubbles
“Never Have I been so enchanted by a man, and it took an hour and half.”
“Bufaplanetes has won a string of awards in Europe and it's not hard to see why. It's funny, enchanting and simply delightful.”
Click here to get to PEP BOU PAGE 2.
