Search - The Tiger Lillies, Martyn Jacques :: Shockheaded Peter: A Junk Opera (1998 Original London Cast)

'Mark...marvel...and make little gasping noises!'

*LittleChinaGirl* | Adelaide, South Australia | 03/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Shockheaded Peter' is one of those delightful theatrical experiences which you literally want to take home and play over and over again, and the soundtrack to this macabre thespian jewel is about as close as you're ever going to get. Vocalist Martyn Jacques' perfectly-controlled falsetto voice borders on the edge of freakish, and accompanied by the sadistically amusing lyrics, and the bizarre orchestrations, The Tiger Lillies create the sinister and yet extremely hilarious atmosphere which is half of the show's success. The tunes are catchy if not always easy on the ear, but Jacque's remarkable crescendos more than make up for it. Along with the carnival-like accordion, the occasional drum solo and the oh-so-macabre hum of the cellist, 'Shockheaded Peter' is a marvellous creation of very dark musical satire. A word of warning, though- don't play it near the cat."

An Extraordinary Grand Guignol Musical & Theatrical Treat!

Jana L. Perskie | New York, NY USA | 03/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just experienced a fabulous and most original Grand Guignol theatrical treat - the musical production of "Shockheaded Peter." This inventive musical adaptation of Dr. Heinrich Hoffman's grisly tales, (for children, no less?), of the "Struwwelpeter," (in German it means Slovenly Peter ), is grimmer than the Grimm Brothers at their grimmest, with touches of Lemony Snicket, Stephen King, Edward Gorey and Kurt Weill. Hoffman's book, written in the mid 19th-century and adapted for the stage, combines hilarious melodrama, farce, music hall, carnival freak show, and biting satire. Hoffman, who actually ran a lunatic asylum - no kidding (!) - was unhappy with the children's books available when his kids were young, and so he penned his own stories. Hence "Struwwelpeter," ten morality tales dealing with such travesties as thumb-sucking, fidgeting, playing with fire, and cruelty to animals. It is truly remarkable that these simple stories have been turned into an opera, of sorts, by a troupe of very gifted English actors, designers and musicians, the Improbable Theatre group. But everything about this production is remarkable - especially the music. I bought the CD immediately after the show.



The music, performed by the Tiger Lillies, is both macabre and gorgeous. The lyrics are darkly witty and dreadfully wicked. The trio call their songs, "blasphemous ballads, tragic tales and debauched ditties." This band includes, a ghoulish accordionist/falsetto singer and songwriter, Martyn Jacques, a double bass player and a drummer. They narrate the stories of young lives gone horribly wrong, through song and music, and are often accompanied by mimed action from the cast, grotesque puppets, marionettes, and an enormous monster. Dubbed a "junk opera," I take exception. Mr. Jacques' castrato-like crooning is phenomenal, and the bass player and drummer are extremely gifted. This is a class act all the way! Drums beat out unsettling rhythms, strange noises and cries come out of nowhere, and the throb of a stand-up bass keeps time like the heart in an Edgar Allan Poe story, one minute slow and stable, the next frenzied. Then there are the tension-building, heart-stopping pauses. The three musicians are accompanied, on occasion, by the actors playing a flute, bugle and cello. Influences of punk rock, Victorian music hall, gypsy style accordion folk music, cabaret and even Klezmer permeate the indefinable sound. The group has been together for eight years, and have a huge cult-like following in Europe. They have made several CDs.



This CD includes musical numbers: The Struwwelpeter Overture, Augustus and the Soup, The Story of Cruel Frederick, The Dreadful Story About Harriet and the Matches, Snip Snip, Bully Boys, Fidgety Phil, Johnny Head-in-air, Flying Robert and Schockheaded Peter. A wonderful album, one cannot help but dance at times to these bizarre tunes!

JANA"

Castrati Punk Caberet

Jana L. Perskie | 12/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Imagine if you will, Dame Edith Evans screaming blue murder from the works of the Marquis de Sade, while Tom Waits & Kurt Weill duke it out on the accordion. That should give you some indication of what will greet you within the confines of SHOCKHEADED PETER.



Inspired by H. Hoffmann's STRUWWELPETER, SHOCKHEADED PETER could be considered the musical equivalent of Gory's GASHLY CRUMB TINIES. Naughty little children like "Cruel Frederick", "Harriet" & "Conrad" are burnt, bit, maimed and then buried in perfect Grand Guignol fashion. Though not for everyone, The Tiger Lillies are certainly one of the most original acts around. I suppose musically they could be considered somewhat derivative. In many ways, Brecht & Weill, LA STRADA era Nino Rota & the aformentioned Tom Waits have beaten them to the punch. What sets them apart is Martyn Jacques castrati falsetto and a wicked, wicked sense of humor.



Unlike so many professed Punk bands, these guys aren't afraid to to go for the juggular. They can also be quite moving as evidenced on the ballad, Flying Robert".



Though in essence a soundtrack to a theatrical performance piece, SHOCKHEADED PETER and the Tiger Lillies do something that so rarely occurs on the Great White Way. They take that ol' Berlin Caberet cliche & hold it for ransom. They're also one of the best bands I've heard in 20 years.



Needless to say, since finding their web-site I've been throwing my filthy lucre away on their prolific canon. FROM THE BROTHEREL TO THE CEMETERY being another one of their best. Take one listen & you'll be convinced that the Devil's Circus had indeed hit town."