This weekend I had the privilege of traveling to see Bread & Puppet, one of the oldest theatre groups in the country. The group’s name is inspired by their distinctive practice of sharing freshly baked bread with aïoli with their audience to foster community and by their core belief that art should be as essential to life as bread. 🍞
The group has been active since the 1960s, and their plays cover a wide range of topics, with a focus on social, political, and economic issues. They are currently touring: The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus. 🎪
Director Peter Schumann describes the show as featuring, “tigers teaching the Congress of Cowards how to jump over billionaires […] the proverbial sheep of the system refusing to be sheep and committing revolution against the system. 👯 🐅🐅🐅💰
Bread & Puppet operates under what they call the “Why Cheap Art” manifesto. This principle states that art should be accessible to the public, not “a privilege of museums & the rich.” For instance, even though I had bought tickets and had them ready to scan on my phone, they said: “You don’t have to show them to us – everything is on the honor system, and you are welcome regardless, we turn no one away for lack of funds.” 🎟️
What do I love most about the group? Their use of Art as Activism. Often focusing on the role of art as a vehicle for change, Bread & Puppet integrate themes around creative freedom, grassroots resistance, and the power of collective imagination. I also love the aesthetics of their artwork – it is very edgy, and dare I say, unsettling at times – and distinctively homemade.
I last saw the group in New England in 2015. They are just now halfway through their 2024 tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, shared bread, and bought some amazing artwork!
Consider supporting them and seeing this one-of-a-kind and profoundly moving theatre company! 🤹𓍯𓂃🃏
https://breadandpuppet.org/tour-schedule
