Client: The Rosenbach Museum and Library
Project: A Potable Joyce Exhibit Kiosk and CDROM

inspiration

The Rosenbach Museum and Library wanted to adapt their highly regarded children’s performance piece, “A Potable Joyce: A Watered Down Version of Ulysses” into something of lasting endurance. The live performance combines actors, music, shadow puppets, and unique props to tell the story of Ulysses, and the processes by which James Joyce used the tale as the basis for writing his modern manuscript.

narration

To remain true to the script and the spirit of the performance, Night Kitchen Interactive collaborated with artist and performance creator Sebastienne Mundheim, along with a team of writers, musicians, and designers. The result was a dramatic retelling of ancient myth and modern literature, combined with the educational themes of discovery and inspiration, expressed in both a style and a medium appropriate to children, their parents, and educators alike.

design

To create a rich and effective online adaptation, Night Kitchen digitized source content and developed appropriate design aesthetics for the multi-layered live performance. This process ranged from audio recording and image processing to the graphical treatment and animation of the content. The result was a visually stunning and highly entertaining educational piece that would serve as a kiosk at the Ulysses in Hand exhibition, a cdrom, and a component for The Rosenbach’s site.

interaction

As with the live performance, this digital adaptation ends with “See how Joyce would script his manuscript with a hand you script. Can you script a manuscript?" With onscreen images that mimic the puppet movements in the live performance and narration delivered in true storytelling fashion, this digital adaptation entertains, informs, and inspires audiences across all ages.