Can we talk about performance art in Café Society? If so, then I want to talk about Mummenschantz (sp?).
Seems to me I was always seeing these people on Sesame Street (or was it 3-2-1 Contact?). They were weird, mime-like, presumably German (from the name) performance artists who dressed in black and acted out weird mini-plays using poses, contortions, props and other elements. They rarely (if ever) uttered a sound. I suppose one could say that they were an intellectual precursor to The Blue Man Group, although one could also say that I’m an ignorant ass who doesn’t understand performance art.
Anyway, the last I recall seeing them was on Letterman around, oh, 1989 or so. Does anybody know if these guys are still in business? If someone could just tell me how to spell their name, I could find a website…
Anyway, please post your recollections, favorite routines, and general opinions here.
I remember them, but as much from appearances on general interest adult shows (Johnny Carson among others, IIRC) as on kids’ shows (by the time they made it to the States in the mid-seventies, I was eight or ten and reading stuff from the adult section of the library instead of watching much children’s TV).
I see I’ve been pre-empted, but will complete the post anyway.
Of course we true children of the 70’s recall Mummenschanz from that wonderfully crafted mime vasriety show (Christ, just when I was beginning to forget how friggin’ weird the 70’s actually were) – Shields and Yarnell.
It was groovy.
Mummenschanz had a show that ran on Broadway for a surprisingly long time. They also appeared on The Tonight Show a few times. I never saw them on Letterman, althoufgh he did run a parody of them that seemed to be based on the TV ads for their Broadway show.
I have to admit, I never saw them myself, except on TV.
I saw them live. Very nice performance – they were more than just mimes and used props in surprising and delightful ways.
My wife and I were sitting on an aisle when they entered; I had my arm around her. One of them wore a giant hand, and he gently pressed our heads together. A very romantic moment.
