Basil Twist

© Billy Erb

A native of San Francisco, Basil Twist is a third-generation puppeteer. He is the sole American to graduate from the École Supérieure Nationale des Arts de la Marionnette in Charleville-Mézières. Twist’s showmanship was spotlighted in New York by The Jim Henson International Festival of Puppetry with his award winning The Araneidae Show. This recognition coupled with the ground-breaking and multiple award-winning »under-water marvel« Symphonie Fantastique he was revealed as a singular artist of unlimited imagination.

Highlights of his subsequent work include Petrushka (commissioned by Lincoln Center) and Dogugaeshi (The Japan Society), Behind the Lid (Silver Whale Gallery) with the late Lee Nagrin and Arias with a Twist, co-created with nightlife icon Joey Arias. Symphonie Fantastique and these productions have toured all over the world. 

Deeply musical in nature, Basil Twist thrives in the world of Opera. He created Titon et l’Aurore with Les Arts Florissants at the Opéra Comique in Paris and collaborated with Phelim McDermott on Aida at the English National Opera, Grand Théâtre de Genève and Houston Grand Opera. In 2019 he worked together with Dick Bird on Adrian Nobles production of Otello premiering at the Vienna State Opera. 

In dance Basil Twist created the sets and puppetry for the world premiere of Edwaard Liangʼs Dorothy and the Prince of Oz for the Tulsa Ballet in 2017. His collaboration with Christopher Wheeldon includes Cinderella for the Dutch National Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, The Winterʼs Tale for the Royal Ballet and Nutcracker for the Joffrey Ballet. He premiered Darkness and Light with Pilobolus and created the title role in Wonderboy with the Joe Goode Performance Group. 

Broadway credits include puppetry design for Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Oh, Hello!, The Addams Family and puppetry direction for the beloved Pee-Wee Herman Show.

Basil Twist is teaching at leading Universities and guides the internationally recognized Dream Music Puppetry Program at HERE in New York City. He received several awards such as an Obie, Drama Desk Awards, UNIMA Awards, Bessie Awards, a Henry Hewes Design Award, Guggenheim and USA Fellowship Award, Doris Duke Performing Artist Award and numerous grants from the Jim Henson Foundation for his productions.

Performances with Basil Twist

Saison 2024-25
Tue
17 Dec
19:00 — 22:00
Christopher Wheeldon
Ballett Main Stage

with Timoor Afshar, Elena Bottaro, Alaia Rogers-Maman, Giorgio Fourés, Géraud Wielick, Conductor: Christoph Koncz

The Winter’s Tale

Cast at Tuesday 17. December 2024

Leontes, König von Sizilien

Hermione, Königin von Sizilien

Perdita, Prinzessin von Sizilien

Mamillius, Prinz von Sizilien

Tommaso Dell'Omarino

Paulina, Erste Hofdame der Königin Hermione

Antigonus, ihr Ehemann und Erster Hofmeister des König Leontes

Polixenes, König von Böhmen

Florizel, Prinz von Böhmen

Steward, Erster Hofmeister des König Polixenes

Ein Schäfervater

Clown, Sohn des Schäfers

Eine junge Schäferin

Available tickets

Tuesday 17. December 2024

Area 1 220 €
Area 1

220 €

Area 2 175 €
Area 2

175 €

Area 3 140 €
Area 3

140 €

Area 4 100 €
Area 4

100 €

Area 5 76 €
Area 5

76 €

Area 6 52 €
Area 6

52 €

Area 7 36 €
Area 7

36 €

Area 8 25 €
Area 8

25 €

Area 9 15 €
Area 9

15 €

Standing room
Standing room

Ö1 U27
Fri
20 Dec
19:00 — 22:00
Christopher Wheeldon
Ballett Main Stage

with Timoor Afshar, Elena Bottaro, Alaia Rogers-Maman, Giorgio Fourés, Géraud Wielick, Conductor: Christoph Koncz

The Winter’s Tale

Cast at Friday 20. December 2024

Leontes, König von Sizilien

Hermione, Königin von Sizilien

Perdita, Prinzessin von Sizilien

Mamillius, Prinz von Sizilien

Tommaso Dell'Omarino

Paulina, Erste Hofdame der Königin Hermione

Antigonus, ihr Ehemann und Erster Hofmeister des König Leontes

Polixenes, König von Böhmen

Florizel, Prinz von Böhmen

Steward, Erster Hofmeister des König Polixenes

Ein Schäfervater

Clown, Sohn des Schäfers

Eine junge Schäferin

Available tickets

Friday 20. December 2024

Area 1 220 €
Area 1

220 €

Area 2 175 €
Area 2

175 €

Area 3 140 €
Area 3

140 €

Area 4 100 €
Area 4

100 €

Area 5 76 €
Area 5

76 €

Area 6 52 €
Area 6

52 €

Area 7 36 €
Area 7

36 €

Area 8 25 €
Area 8

25 €

Area 9 15 €
Area 9

15 €

Standing room
Standing room

Ö1 U27
Ballettzyklus »Familie«

Ticket information

Saison 2024/2025

Magische, träumerische, aber auch aufregende und spannungsgeladene Geschichten erwarten Familien und alle Menschen ab 10 Jahren.

20. September 2024: SCHWANENSEE
20. Oktober 2024: COPPÉLIA
23. November 2024: JOLANTHE UND DER NUSSKNACKER
20. Dezember 2024: THE WINTER'S TALE