NO EXIT THEATRE COLLECTIVE PRESENTS…
Directed and Designed by Robert Malbrough
Ubu Roix runs April 1st through April 4th, on-demand via Eventbrite: ubu.eventbrite.com.
Ubu Roi is an absurdist1 parody of Shakespeare's Macbeth. It uses humor and farce to present Jarry’s views on art, literature, politics, the ruling classes, and current events.
Alfred Jarry is known by many as the "father of absurdism" and was 23 at the time of the first production of Ubu Roi, which closed after 2 performances. With his school friends, Jarry mounted productions that made fun of his physics teacher, Felix Herbert. These parodies of Herbert then inspired Ubu Roi (1896; translated as King Turd in 1953).
The play’s first production caused a riot, and it closed after two nights. Since then, Ubu has been produced time and time again during times of political distress.
In his book Jarry: Ubu Roi, Keith Beaumont detailed three accusations that were made against Ubu Roi by spectators and critics in the aftermath of the outrageous performance.
The play’s “alleged” vulgarity and obscenity. For Jarry, this was a commentary on how he saw the world and authority figures.
Perhaps in view of the political atmosphere of the time, critics condemned the play and its performance as the theatrical equivalent of an “anarchist” bomb attack and as an act of political subversion.
The performance was in no way constituted a “serious” piece of literature or of theater but rather a gigantic hoax.
Cast & Crew
Chris Gibson is Papa Ubu
Shelby Gilliam as Mama Ubu
Tyler Riley as Bodurè
Geoffrey Hellauer Geiger as Coccyx/Pile
Sean Devare as The Kings/The Captain
Rachel Weekley as Buggerlaus
Courtney M. McClellan as General Ermey
Werner H. as The Bear
Co-Designed by Rachel Weekley
Technical directed by Sarah Herdrich and Daisy Phillips
Chris Gibson (Papa Ubu) is a lifelong theatrician living in Harrisburg, PA. Currently the Production Manager for Open Stage, gibby has also produced the Orlando International Fringe Festival (2002-2004) and toured the world as a voice actor in The Intergalactic Nemesis, a "live -action graphic novel". You can watch him host his variety show, My Talented Friends Live, every Tuesday at 8p EST at https://youtube.com/c/OpenStage. He is married to his best friend, Rachel Landon.
Shelby Gilliam (Mama Ubu) is a Texas Parisian bringing along her own flavour of tacky taste and wild west spirit to team Ubu. Shelby's studies in Ancient Greek theatre practices has led her to some far out experiences- such as her time as a company member with Thiasos Theatre Company in London as well as The Gardzienice Center of Theatre Practices in Poland. She's presented her research in Maenadic Dance and Ritual Possession at University of Vienna in Austria, performed at the Polish National Theatre, and has choreographed and performed an authentic Ancient Greek theatre piece in the gardens at Oxford University. A virtual theatre first timer, Shelby is thrilled to be along for the ride on this bizarre absurdist adventure with the No Exit theatre company.
Tyler Riley (Bodurè) is honored to be a part of his first project with No Exit Theatre Collective. Tyler is a performer whose past roles include Ajax (Ajax), Julian (Plucker), Elliot (The Promised Land), and Dracula (Dracula). Tyler can also be heard as co-host of the podcast Amateur Detective Club (@adcpod) and seen on SCOWL, a queer, action-packed, live theatrical performance (YouTube/Twitch).
Geoffrey Hellauer Geiger (Coccyx/Pile) has appeared in numerous stagings across Houston and New York, most recently as John Faustus in a roving site-specific production of An Apology For the Course and Outcome of Certain Events Delivered by Doctor John Faustus on This His Final Evening by Mickle Maher.
Sean Devare (The Kings/The Captain) is a New York-based interdisciplinary performer, designer, musician, writer, and director. His solo show 'First Violin,' premiered at HERE Arts Center and United Solo Festival, and was recently developed for Mabou Mines' SUITE/Space digital festival. Sean’s work explores questions of cultural inheritance and hybridization through reinterpreting folklore and Asian diasporic performance traditions, from mask-making and shadow puppetry to Carnatic violin. He has worked on original ensemble pieces with artists in Singapore, Ecuador, and Sicily, and performed in NYC at BAM, Signature, Target Margin, The Flea, and more. Founding member of Trinacria Theatre Company and The Transit Ensemble. MFA Theatre, Sarah Lawrence College; BFA Illustration, RISD. www.seandevare.com
Rachel Weekley (Buggerlaus) is a Clown/Performer/Movement Coordinator based in NYC. They graduated from Ohio University with a BFA in performance and trained with The American Mime Theater. Besides creating their own solo work, they are also a Line Producer and Performer with SCOWL, a Queer and Trans-centric, stage combat comedy show. For more info on what shenanigans they’re up to now go to www.rachelweekley.com or Instagram @rachel.weekley.
Courtney M. McClellan (General Ermey) Courtney is a multi-disciplinary artist and creator who is tired of the same inequities in life being replicated in art (and artistic spheres) and then re-presented to humanity as a further enforcement of the status quo. She is a self-described Southern, Black, Christian Bruja and logophile (or lover of words), embracing and welcoming conversation and social change work through arts education with young children, students, educators, adults, all artists, applied theatre practitioners, facilitators, BIPOC populations, families, social workers, psychologists, medical care professionals, caretakers, domestic workers, social and political organizers, corporate visionaries, human resources personnel, communications professionals, scientists, researchers, and non-profit workers, and she magnetizes communion with those groups.
Werner H. (The Bear) is a filmmaker and documentarian from Munich, Germany.
Robert Malbrough (Director/Designer) is a Brooklyn-based, Texas-born director, performance artist, noodle maker, and occasional designer.
Recent work includes “An Apology ... by Doctor John Faustus on This His Final Evening” a roving, environmental play with snack time; and “Cleansed (with apologies to Sarah Kane)” a tongue-in-cheek performance art piece about the vibes we leave behind. He previously directed an immersive production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Asheville, NC), Abandon All Hope, The Lover, Don’t Talk to Strangers, and The Unexamined Life (Houston, TX). He is currently developing a piece of object theatre based on his many false assumptions about the Tony-Winning play The Ferryman, and a post-modern mangling of Titus Andronicus replete with Harry Nillson covers.
Sarah Herdrich (Technical Director) is a stage manager and online technical director based in Brooklyn, NY. They recently completed the Juilliard Stage Management Apprentice program and are constantly seeking out new and innovative work in theater, opera, and dance. Recent works include work with No Exit Theatre Collective, Juilliard Drama, and Third Rail Projects.
Daisy Phillips (Technical Director) is so excited to return to No Exit as Tech Director for "Ubu Roix"! She's a recent college grad and NYC-based Producer and Stage Manager. Off-Broadway: “The Argentinian Prostitute Play,” “OGYGIA,” “The Treatment.” College Stage Management highlights include: “Starlight Express!” “10 Out of 12,” and “A Very Pretty Word.” She is currently working as a Producing Associate at Honest Accomplice Theatre. Find her online at daisylphillips.com
Special Thanks
Dinner guests: Christian Peck, Cici Woods, Emery Major, Garrett Tatum, Jesse Freedman, Sandra Peck, Q Dyer
Title Consultant: Dominique Rider
Blood handler: Rachel Landon
There will be a live virtual red carpet on Instagram live @NoExitTC at 6:30pm on April 1st.
After the April 1st performance there will be a live Q&A, this will be accessible on-demand along with the show until the 4th. Tickets on ubu.eventbrite.com
Absurdism is “the inevitable devaluation of ideals, purity, and purpose.” Absurdist drama asks its viewer to "draw his own conclusions, make his own errors." (Martin Esslin, author of Theatre of the Absurd)