Book of Tink
Encyclopedia
Book of Tink is a dramatic and musical text written by playwright Erik Ehn
. An original score was written by Director/Composer Josh Chambers. Another original score was written for the 2009 Doane College production, co-composed by Zach Kloppenborg (Director) and Rebecca Wilson (Assistant Director/Music Director). Mazie Wilson composed the UC Irvine production's music. Erik Ehn
recently served as the dean of the school of theater at California Institute of the Arts
, but has now taken over the Playwriting program at Brown University, a position most recently held by Paula Vogel. Josh Chambers, a founding member of the Fovea Floods Theater Company based in New Yorkhttp://www.foveafloods.com/, directed and composed music for a production of Book of Tink at California Institute of the Arts in the Spring of 2005.
Book of Tink is a re-interpretation of the classic children's novel Peter Pan and Wendy by JM Barrie. In Ehn's poetically stylized interpretation, the Book of Revelation and the novel Peter Pan and Wendy are woven together. The fantasy characters from Barrie's 1904 novel are dramatically re-imagined by Ehn. Peter Pan
, Captain Hook
, The Lost Boys, The Mermaid Prostitutes, The Darling Children: Wendy, John, Michael, and the Darling's dog Nana are all reincarnated into the story along with a chorus of fairies led by the notorious Tinkerbell, and an oversized baby becomes a symbol of innocence in the play. Ehn attempts to illustrate the 'savagery of innocence' in "Tink". The character of Wendy is written as a manipulative, controlling, and ultimately lethal player in the story. She sews Peter into reality threatening the existence of Never Never Land, referred to as Maybe Land initially in the play. Peter and the Lost Boys are a fraternity of corrupt juveniles susceptible to Wendy's powers. The mermaid prostitutes act as sirens as they sing some of the most important lyrics of the play. The dog Nana is an essential part of the story, as she narrates a majority of the key story elements. The chorus of fairies serve as a driving force in the plot of the play with Tinkerbell as their rebellious leader.
The dense, poetic language of "Tink" makes the plot somewhat difficult to discern, though it adheres closely to the J. M. Barrie novel. Many phrases and words are repeated throughout, and metal-working is constantly used as a metaphor (Tinker Bell is a tinker, a metal-smith). The phrase "You pound my heart in the forge of your love," and several variations, act as a basis for much of the language in "Book of Tink." This emphasizes a strong idea explored in the play: the need for human contact, through which we are reshaped.
Still unpublished, "Book of Tink" is continuing to pursue future productions after its two successful mountings at Skidmore College
in Saratoga Springs, NY; a mounting at the Walt Disney Modular Theater
at California Institute of the Arts
in Valencia, CA (Directed by Josh Chambers); a production in 2009 at University of California, Irvine
(Directed by Jim Knipple
); at Doane College
in Crete, NE (Directed by Zach Kloppenborg); and its latest production by Red Egg Theater at the Broadway Playhouse in Santa Cruz, CA (Directed by Gina Marie Hayes).
Erik Ehn
Erik Ehn is an American playwright and director known for proposing the Regional Alternative Theatre movement. The former dean of theater at CalArts, the California Institute of Arts, he is head of playwriting and professor of theatre and performance studies at Brown University...
. An original score was written by Director/Composer Josh Chambers. Another original score was written for the 2009 Doane College production, co-composed by Zach Kloppenborg (Director) and Rebecca Wilson (Assistant Director/Music Director). Mazie Wilson composed the UC Irvine production's music. Erik Ehn
Erik Ehn
Erik Ehn is an American playwright and director known for proposing the Regional Alternative Theatre movement. The former dean of theater at CalArts, the California Institute of Arts, he is head of playwriting and professor of theatre and performance studies at Brown University...
recently served as the dean of the school of theater at California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
, but has now taken over the Playwriting program at Brown University, a position most recently held by Paula Vogel. Josh Chambers, a founding member of the Fovea Floods Theater Company based in New Yorkhttp://www.foveafloods.com/, directed and composed music for a production of Book of Tink at California Institute of the Arts in the Spring of 2005.
Understanding "Tink"
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
, Captain Hook
Captain Hook
Captain James Hook is the main antagonist of J. M. Barrie's play Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and its various adaptations. The character is a villainous pirate captain of the Jolly Roger brig, and lord of the pirate village/harbour in Neverland, where he is widely feared. Most...
, The Lost Boys, The Mermaid Prostitutes, The Darling Children: Wendy, John, Michael, and the Darling's dog Nana are all reincarnated into the story along with a chorus of fairies led by the notorious Tinkerbell, and an oversized baby becomes a symbol of innocence in the play. Ehn attempts to illustrate the 'savagery of innocence' in "Tink". The character of Wendy is written as a manipulative, controlling, and ultimately lethal player in the story. She sews Peter into reality threatening the existence of Never Never Land, referred to as Maybe Land initially in the play. Peter and the Lost Boys are a fraternity of corrupt juveniles susceptible to Wendy's powers. The mermaid prostitutes act as sirens as they sing some of the most important lyrics of the play. The dog Nana is an essential part of the story, as she narrates a majority of the key story elements. The chorus of fairies serve as a driving force in the plot of the play with Tinkerbell as their rebellious leader.
The dense, poetic language of "Tink" makes the plot somewhat difficult to discern, though it adheres closely to the J. M. Barrie novel. Many phrases and words are repeated throughout, and metal-working is constantly used as a metaphor (Tinker Bell is a tinker, a metal-smith). The phrase "You pound my heart in the forge of your love," and several variations, act as a basis for much of the language in "Book of Tink." This emphasizes a strong idea explored in the play: the need for human contact, through which we are reshaped.
Still unpublished, "Book of Tink" is continuing to pursue future productions after its two successful mountings at Skidmore College
Skidmore College
Skidmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The college is located in the town of Saratoga Springs, New York State....
in Saratoga Springs, NY; a mounting at the Walt Disney Modular Theater
Walt Disney Modular Theater
The Walt Disney Modular Theater is an indoor performance space located at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California.Funded by Lillian Disney, who lent support to Walt's venture into education, her gift to the school to remodel a campus theater and rename it the Walt Disney...
at California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
in Valencia, CA (Directed by Josh Chambers); a production in 2009 at University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
(Directed by Jim Knipple
Jim Knipple
Jim Knipple is a stage director and founding Artistic Director of the Run of the Mill Theater Company in Baltimore, MD. His productions have won several awards, including Best Production and Best Experimental Production...
); at Doane College
Doane College
Doane College is a private liberal arts college in Crete, Nebraska, United States, with additional campuses located in Lincoln and Grand Island.-History:...
in Crete, NE (Directed by Zach Kloppenborg); and its latest production by Red Egg Theater at the Broadway Playhouse in Santa Cruz, CA (Directed by Gina Marie Hayes).