The San Francisco mime troupe (Part 1 of 2)

The first of two programs presenting the history of the San Francisco Mime Troupe during its first ten years. The programs document the new publication on the troupe’s history by its founder, R.G. Davis. The first program covers the period from 1959 to 1966 and deals with the transition from the San Francisco Actors Workshop and the radicalization of the troupe through their confrontation with the Park and Recreation Commission. Then through the years of the Minstrel Show, Bill Graham, The Diggers and their origins with the Troupe. The program features the voices of R.G. Davis, Joe Bellan, Sandra Archer, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Steve Reich, Mark Schleiffer, Saul Landau, Robert Slattery, Jason Marc-Alexander, John Broderick, Willie Hart, George Matthews and Julio Martinez, as well as tapes of actual performances during this period. Contains excerpts of two pieces by Steve Reich, “A Little Bit of Chutzpah” and “Oh Dem Watermelons.” The program is narrated by Victor Fascio with technical production by Mick O’Neal.