Looking for the Name of a Preformance Troupe from 60's - 70's

March 26, 2020 11:11 AM

Back in the day, there was this very weird performance troupe called, as close as I remember, "Muminshots". That's not spelled correctly. They were either French, German or Dutch.

They did very odd things on stage, and used weird props, especially toilet paper on rolls. They'd dress up as odd looking insects and other creatures and would interact with each other on stage. It was totally bizarre.

They preformed in my city and I attended with a few friends. We were so shocked at what we were seeing that we couldn't stop laughing, and the theater management told us to STFU or get out. Apparently, what we were seeing was not a laughing matter.

Everyone today thinks I dreamt seeing these people, or I was on a bad trip (that never happened!). I've been googling for hours and can not find any mention of them. My spelling can't be that off, can it?

Anyone remember these folks? Thanks!

posted by james33 to Media & Arts (16 answers total)

Best answer: Mummenschanz!
posted by wellred at 11:13 AM on March 26, 2020 [20 favorites]

Best answer: THEY APPEARED ON THE MUPPET SHOW. THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
posted by Melismata at 11:18 AM on March 26, 2020 [19 favorites]

Best answer: wellred has it. It was not a dream; I also saw them live at least once or twice.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 11:22 AM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I still have a copy of the program from when I saw them. They were not a dream.

The theatre manager who kicked you out for laughing was insane, they were definitely aiming for comic effect!
posted by egypturnash at 11:28 AM on March 26, 2020 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Also omfg the Wikipedia article speaks of them in the present tense, they are STILL DOING STUFF. Damn.
posted by egypturnash at 11:30 AM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: (They were also a Dennis Miller punchline, if memory serves.)
posted by wenestvedt at 12:04 PM on March 26, 2020 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I saw them a few years ago!
posted by the_blizz at 12:31 PM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Searching I find several versions of the appearances of this concept on NBC's David Letterman. Chris Elliott the inspired side kick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6KvSRc-X9U.

Spit take warning.
posted by Freedomboy at 12:39 PM on March 26, 2020

Best answer: THAT TIME CHRIS ELLIOTT TOOK A HUGE CRAP ON ARTSY MIME TROUPE MUMMENSCHANZ ON ‘LETTERMAN,’ 1986
posted by dgeiser13 at 12:42 PM on March 26, 2020 [3 favorites]

Best answer: I saw them in Toronto with my mom. They were delightful and clever and weird. Such a fun show!
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 1:16 PM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: These guys came to the performing arts center at the community college in our area a couple of years ago. My son and I kept seeing their name on the COMING SOON marquee and thought it was so funny to say out loud. We said over and over to each other "we've GOT to go see Mummenschanz." "Who? Mummenschanz?" "Yes Mummenschanz. We need to see Mummenschanz."

We never did see Mummenschanz, to my regret.

Mummenschanz
posted by AgentRocket at 2:03 PM on March 26, 2020 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Thank you one and all! I'm going to be laughing about this for days! I knew I didn't imagine them!

Thanks again MeFis. Stay well!❤️+
posted by james33 at 2:13 PM on March 26, 2020

Best answer: Also omfg the Wikipedia article speaks of them in the present tense, they are STILL DOING STUFF. Damn.

They are still doing stuff and we took our kids to see them a couple of years ago -- still awesome!
posted by Mchelly at 3:45 PM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I'm here only to say that I was absolutely terrified of them as a preschooler.
posted by condour75 at 3:46 PM on March 26, 2020 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Wow I totally remember the toilet paper thing from 321 Contact.
posted by bq at 4:37 PM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: They also toured with the Big Apple Circus in the 90s. As a kid who generally got stressed out and overwhelmed at the circus, I found Mummenschanz really calming. Maybe because of how quiet they were?
posted by capricorn at 5:24 PM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]