Explore the unique world of Minnie Rubinski in this immersive production taking over the Fruitmarket Warehouse.
Minnie Rubinski is a woman with strong opinions. In an era of patriarchy she forged her own path, breaking social boundaries, and now recalls her Fantastic Life – but what is real and what is fantasy…? And does it really matter?
This unique production involves filmed memories from her childhood to the present day, using a cast of beautifully carved marionettes, placed in perfectly detailed period sets.
Part theatre production, part filmed puppetry show, part installation, audience members are invited to piece together Minnie Rubinski’s life story. Wander through an organic landscape of trailing synapses and connect together Minnie’s fragmented memories to discover her true and fantastic life.
Created during the pandemic, the piece is inspired by Kim Bergsagel’s (Vision Mechanics’ Creative Director) experience of her mother’s rapid onset of dementia. Adapted from fragments of phone calls and family anecdotes, the story is funny, sad and at times nonsensical.
The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski is an intimate and personal experience, with audience members entering in small groups of up to 5 people at 30-minute intervals (the full experience will be around 45 minutes).
Supported by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund, The William Syson Foundation, The Golsoncott Foundation, The Hugh Fraser Foundation and The Leche Trust.
Production Credits:
Creative Directors: Kim Bergsagel and Symon Macintyre
Writers: Eszter Marsalko, Kim Bergsagel and Symon Macintyre
Music Score: Ewan Macintyre
Musicians:
Ewan Macintyre: Guitars, Percussion, Bass, Mandolin, Keys, Sound FX
Gabrielle Richard: Violin
Karine Bouchard: Cello
Simon Babin Bouchard: Trumpet
Nathan Bissonnette: Saxophones
Arthur Smith: Drumkit, Bass, Guitar
Antoine Larocque: Keys, Accordion
Sets and Costumes: Ingrid Scholes
Sets and Props: Alice Knight
Puppeteers: Kim Bergsagel, Jessica Innes and Helen Belbin
Design Assistants: Daniel Tysen, Mandy Fitzsimmons, Annie Linfitt and Natacha Lee
Scenic Painter: Eve Murray
Filming and Editing: Symon Macintyre and Eszter Marsalko
Marionette Carving: Kim Bergsagel
Minnie’s Voice: Lois Markle
Vision Mechanics Administration: Susan Wilson and Anne Fleming
Image Credit: Vision Mechanics