Editor's pick: Outdoor theatre

Strolling players at a market fair: NaCl buskers come to Bethel Woods

Sun., 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at Bethel Woods, Hurd Road, Bethel, NY. 845/557-0694. Free.

When most people think of theatre history, they probably think of Greek plays, with audiences sitting in ranks of seats looking at a performance on a stage. But itinerant players who ply their trade in outdoor venues are another rich source of Western theatrical tradition, and the Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods is providing visitors an opportunity to get a little taste of that tradition this weekend with the NaCl Busker Experience.

The NaCl street players, who will be mingling with the crowds at this weekend’s festival, harken back to the Middle Ages, when Punch and Judy shows, miracle plays, mummers, acrobats, conjurers and other performers would gather to play to audiences at the great market fairs that constituted the malls of their time. The performers at Bethel Woods will include jugglers, stilt-walkers, Vince Tortorici as Enzo the Clown (long-time member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit) as well as other clowns, Toronto’s Number Eleven Theatre with their show “The Curious History of Peter Schlemihl,” a yo-yo artist and a host of local talent.

NaCl Director Brad Krumholz points out another intriguing aspect of busking: its risk for the artists. Unlike traditional theatre where payment is made in advance, buskers have to perform well or they won’t get paid. “Buskers are really on the line to make the people want to dig into their pockets at that moment and give their money to them,” Krumholz noted. This weekend’s buskers will be getting a bit of a break, however, as their fee has been paid in advance and they will not be passing the hat. Audience members and players alike can just relax, have fun and enjoy the day.

For more information on the Harvest Festival, see the insert in this paper.