Concept, Script & Direction : Pieter Grove
Co-Director & Choreographer : Gail Davies
Choreographer : Nick Navarro
Assistant Choreographer : Jennifer Hardcastle Deans
Musical Director : Detlef Klemm
Production Design : Pieter Grove
Costume Design : Pieter Grove
Lighting Design : Olaf Eichler
Friedrichstadtpalast RevueTheater
Berlin - Germany
Friedrichstadtpalast Ballet
'JOKER' - A Tarot Card Fantasy
A Fool's Journey in search of the meaning of life.
Controlled by ‘Good and Evil’: - The 22 Major Arcana personified.
Tempted by Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts & Spades; - The Pleasures in Life.
Wisdom is derived from the Old; - Staves, Coins, Cups & Swords.
A full circle journey in which 'Light balance Darkness'.
The Answers We Seek, … Lie Deep Within.
THE DESIGN CONCEPT
This Visual Gallery pays homage to "The Fool's" Magnificent Journey as governed by his spectacular surroundings; - "TheTree of Life" and the "Kabala" which served as inspiration for the Set Design for JOKER - Revue Mystique.
The costumes are inspired by The Characters of the Major Arcana in the Tarot Deck of Cards and the Four Suits of playing cards, both ancient and modern.
JOKER - REVUE MYSTIQUE
Promo Video Clip
Time: 3 min.
(See also the full length documentary version of the 'Making of Joker" at the bottom of this page)
A Fantasy Journey In Search Of The Meaning of Life
JOKER - Revue Mystique, was conceptualized and created by Pieter Grove for Europe's biggest Revue Theater, Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin, Germany. It is a spectacular fantasy revue inspired by the Tarot Cards. Join the "The Fool" on a fantastic journey via The Tree of Life in his search for the meaning of his existence. Experience his encounters with personifications of the 22 Major Arcana in the Tarot & The Four Suits in the Tarot Card Deck and modern deck of Playing Cards. Life comes full circle with the ultimate knowledge that what we seek comes from within ourselves.
Pieter Grove is Joker's Creator, Author, Director, Scenic & Costume Designer.
All copyrights reserved © 2002 Pieter Grove Design
Caught in the Act, (shortly called C.I.T.A.), is seen here performing on the "JOKER" set in Friedrichstadtpalast, Berlin Germany during the annual GOLDENE HENNE GALA of 1997 Award Ceremonies. Since 1995 The "Goldene Henne" ceremonies were hosted by Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin in memory of the 1991 deceased singer and entertainer Helga Hahnemann, in recognition of achievements by individuals in the fields of European Film via Babelsberg Film Studios and Television, Politics, Culture, Sports and Mass Media.) Organizers: Mitteldeutsche Rundfunk (MDR), SUPER TV and SUPER illu.
The Main set unit travelled 185 feet from upstage to downstage. Underneath the bridged and high platform section of this set piece, the 45 piece Friedrichstadtpalast resident orchestra were seated during the performances of "JOKER". They travelled with the set unit during the entire show as set pieces were flown in from above to create different scenes and looks for "JOKER".
The conductor, Detleff Klemm ( ...an amazing individual), was standing under the round disk and landing where the stairs in the center diverge left and right. He was facing Up Stage and the orchestra was seated in a semi-circle between the pillars. The layout can be clearly seen in the next photo.
Additionally, the entire "JOKER" set was transformed into a "NUTCRACKER" environment for the Annual performance of "NUTCRACKER" over the Christmas Holidays!
The versatility of the "JOKER" set design proved to surpass all our expectations.
