Sign In

Close
Forgot your password? No account yet?

Termite Theatre Troupe by Jaycee

Termite Theatre Troupe

Jaycee

Ever since I started my comic, I've wanted Ella Pawman to have a gang of good 'ol fashioned movie stars. I finally have a concept I like, and I'm just gonna put this textwall here for my own reference.

This group of rising film stars had their heyday from 1913 - 1929 at Canvasville's "Twilight Theatre" (also called the "Termite Theatre" due to the building's dirty, dilapidated state). While there were many others who worked at the theatre, these guys were the longest and most popular mainstays. Up until this group's dramatic and explosive breakup in 1929, these characters were generally the best of friends, doing vaudeville stage shows during the weekends and making/showing silent films and newsreels during the weekdays. Because film strips could only be in black-and-white at the time, the colourful characters of the group would wear greyscale paint, make-up, and pie-shaped contacts in order to better show up on film.

From left-to-right: Charleston Waltz, Hugh Forric, Ijinks H. Iwerx, Ella Pawman, Flicky D. Firefly.

Charleston Waltz was originally a traveling hair tonic sales-gecko. After accidentally discovering a miracle hair growth formula (so good that it grew hair on reptiles), he decided to use his new fortune to focus on a dream hobby of his – movie making. In 1913, Charleston bought an empty, worn-out building and turned it into the Twilight Theatre. He is the director, and head-honcho of the establishment, but is a gentle, non-confrontational boss most of the time. Both Flicky and Charleston are significantly older than the others, and the younger folk call the blue gecko “Uncle Charlie” as a sign of respect. This drama director does not enjoy drama outside of fiction, as he has a hard time saying “no” to requests, to the point where he has to get the firey Flicky to tell someone off. In 1929, after the group's massive breakup, Charleston and Ella still managed to have a respectable film career years after the fact. Eventually, Charleston Waltz cements himself in film history as one of the greatest movie directors of all time.

Hugh Forric was the newest member of this theatre troupe. Prior to joining, Hugh was a busker at restaurants, playing ragtime piano for tips and free food. He showed up out of nowhere in 1919, as a stowaway from an out-of-town train. Hugh, being homeless and without any possessions, just happened to waddle into the the theatre at the perfect time. The group was looking for a pianist to play and improvise during live shows (where self-playing piano rolls weren't flexible enough), and Hugh quickly dazzled the group with his lightning-quick fingers. Instead of paying Hugh for his performances, Charleston instead allowed Hugh to live in the theatre for free, while spending extra tip money on food and hygiene supplies. Everyone pitied this portly pianist, and Hugh remained humble and thankful for all of the help in the beginning. Unfortunately, his personality did a 180 once he finally obtained a large sum of cash in 1928. Hugh slowly fails to keep his ego in check and has many prima donna moments, even feigning tiredness or illness to get out of a performance. Hugh begins hanging around a gorgeous, wealthy heiress named Diana Diamondhart who only values Hugh for his money. Eventually, Hugh and Diana are the first to split from the group in 1929 and Hugh Forric starts his own company called “Chap & Chapeau” with his “Fedora Follies” line of films. With Hugh's money, and Diana's sex appeal, the Fedora Follies films were a smash hit, up until Hugh got wise to her plans, then disappearing mysteriously for 50 years in 1939.

Small note: The hat on Hugh's head is NOT a crown. It's called a "Whoopie Cap", and it's a odd trend that caught on during the time. People would take a standard fedora hat, turn it inside out, and cut the brim of the hat into jagged edges.

Ijinks H. Iwerx was originally employed as a janitor in 1916, and often carries a mop around wherever she goes to wipe up her drippy ink body. Ijinks generally floated around in the background, occasionally self-inserting her presence in others people's business. She graduated from a janitor to crafting props and stage scenery, but it wasn't until Hugh's arrival when she really tried her hand at performing in an attempt to impress him. Ijinks can melt and reform her inky body into many shapes, and her performing talents are serviceable, just as long as she stays calm and doesn't melt all over the stage. Ijinks is well-meaning, but sometimes is egotistical, emotional and awkward. Ella Pawman also feels obligated to keep this greyscaled gal out of trouble, and the two share a close bond. One day, Ijinks makes a fateful decision that causes Hugh to obtain his miraculous fortune. This spectacularly boneheaded move is the “spark” that ultimately causes the group to dissolve. Shortly after Hugh's departure, Ijinks left to pursue an ill-fated solo career in film. She mysteriously disappeared in 1939 for 50 years, and remains a forgotten footnote in film history.

Ella Pawman was discovered by Charleston Waltz in 1913. Ella and her simple family of feline farmers sold vegetables once a week on the same block, and Charleston noticed a young, one-eyed cat drawing a crowd with her turnip juggling skills. With her parent's permission, Ella performed small parts in the early years of the theatre's heyday for extra cash. It quickly became apparent that she had an amazing hidden gift for acting, singing, dancing, jokes and stunts, and soon was the main attraction in the Twilight Theatre live stage shows. She also met an orange, banjo-playing tabby cat named Clive Peck – a part-time performer that eventually became her husband. Her former life on a dirt-poor vegetable farm taught her to be humble, patient and kind towards others, with the attention of the spotlight never really spoiling her personality. Ella preferred live performances over acting in movies, but once she got her big break in the 1925 silent film “The Cat's Meow”, there was no going back. Ella's popularity exploded as her film reels played all across the country. In 1929, when it became apparent that the group was broken up for good, she and Charleston Waltz still continued to make hit movies, and Ella Pawman is considered to be one of the best actresses in film history.

Flicky D. Firefly was Charleston's best friend and business partner in the hair tonic days. When Charleston purchased the Twilight Theatre building in 1913, Flicky was also on board and was Charleston's first headline actor. This lighting bug has a much bigger personality then his size lets on – he is loud, angry, hyperactive, and is a master of puns and snappy comebacks. Charleston is too kind, so he uses Flicky to keep the young performers in line. Even though it makes Flicky the “bad guy”, he happily obliges as it gives him temporary reign to be a huge jerk. Flicky teases the others often, sometimes crossing the line into outright insults. Since the theatre's inception, Charleston Waltz cast Flicky as the lead actor in a majority of his silent films. However, Ella's popularity after her first starring film quickly knocked the bulb-bug off his pedestal. Once silent films began to die off, Flicky became dead weight as years of chain-smoking ruined his voice, and he quit acting for good once the stock market crashed. He both resented Ella and still maintained a friendship with Charleston up until his passing.

Submission Information

Views:
616
Comments:
0
Favorites:
1
Rating:
General
Category:
Visual / Digital