Difference between revisions of "Ljubljana Puppet Theatre"

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Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2012

The Ljubljana Puppet Theatre (LPT) is the main puppet theatre in Slovenia, running a varied programme of puppet as well as theatre performances, mainly – yet not exclusively – intended for children and youth. Established in 1948, the theatre encompasses classical puppetry tradition alongside its more contemporary forms and is actively shaping the development of puppetry as such. Involved in various international endeavours and works with domestic as well as international authors, its productions are often included at distinguished Slovene and international theatre or puppetry festivals.

It organises the Lutke International Puppet Festival and co-produces the Golden Stick Festival, both taking place every second year. Having merged with the Theatre for Children and Youth (GOML) in 2009, LPT also runs and sets up children's and youth theatre productions. The Museum of Puppetry, a joint project of the theatre and the Ljubljanski grad Public Institute, opened up in 2015 and is stationed at the Ljubljana Castle.

Background

Initially under the name City Puppet Theatre, LPT emerged as a follow-up to numerous semi-professional puppet groups organised in the region since the beginning of the 20th century. The theatre worked to develop its own mode of expression and soon became the leading puppet theatre in the then Yugoslavia. At first, the performances were based on the marionette technique, but it soon also got engaged in the possibilities of hand puppets. From the seventies onward the theatre has been focusing on advancing the technological and dramatic possibilities of puppetry, cultivating a captivating mixture of classical contents and experimentation.

Though LPT initially focused on works by Slovene authors, the theatre's most important early performances were adaptations of foreign works. One such production is the Spotty the Ball [Žogica Marogica], written by the Czech puppeteer Jan Malik, which remains unchanged in the repertory ever since its premiere in 1951. Another timeless hit appears to be the Twinkle Sleepyhead [Zvezdica zaspanka], written by Frane Milčinski - Ježek and in the repertory since 1955. It was followed by the same-titled film, the first Yugoslav colour marionette film that has greatly contributed to its huge success.

Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana / Ljubljana Puppet Theatre by Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana on Vimeo

Main activities

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre repertory programme is divided into two segments, puppet performances and drama performances, including about fifteen premières annually. Besides its regular performances it runs two festivals and is extremely active on the international stage.

The theatre organises puppetry workshops for children and adults, devoting attention to educational activities through which the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre wishes to advance the art of puppetry. For this end it thus systemically collaborates with various educational institutions.

The theatre cultivates all the main puppetry genres (marionette, hand puppets, Java puppets, shadow puppets, mimic puppets) and preserves more than 2000 puppets from past performances. It keeps an important collection relating to the Slovene puppetry heritage – see the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre Museum Collection, now partly incorporated into the Museum of Puppetry.

The staging of Virginija Volk (Virginia Wolf), based on the motifs from the picture book by Kyo Maclean and Isabelle Arsenault, 2017

Programme

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre's programme includes stagings of classical children works as well as performances based on fresh children's texts by established (Svetlana Makarovič, Boris A. Novak, Vinko Möderndorfer) as well as emerging Slovene and international authors (Roald Dahl, Toon Tellegen, Wolf Erlbruch). The theatre has collaborated with great number of renowned theatre directors (as for example Zvone Šedlbauer, Janez Pipan, Robert Waltl, Vinko Möderndorfer, Mile Korun, Silvan Omerzu), visual artists and musicians.

Together with the Konj Puppet Theatre LGL produced a few striking creations by the renowned Slovene artist Silvan Omerzu, i.e. Forbidden Loves, based on antique motifs, and awarded in Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria in 2010, and an interpretation of Pinnochio, featuring different puppet techniques and dimensions, acting, shadows and music.

Doctor Faustus [Doktor Faust] is based on the motifs from the first Slovene production of the play (1938) by Milan Klemenčič, the founder of Slovene puppetry, after whom the most prominent Slovene award for achievement in puppetry is named (Klemenčič Award). The performance still uses puppets from the original staging.

Doctor Faustus performance staged in 2005 with the puppets made in 1938 by Milan Klemenčič. Directed by Jelena Sitar, music by Igor Cvetko, produced by Ljubljana Puppet Theatre.

International projects

The LPT is a member of the International Puppetry Association UNIMA, ASSITEJ – International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, the Slovenian Puppetry Artists Institution, Small Size, an international association focused on productions for early years (under six years of age), and one of the founding members of NEECPA, a network of puppet centres joining primarily the key players from Scandinavia, the Baltic region and Russia.

The International Puppetry Association (UNIMA) congress was first held in Ljubljana in 1933, and then repeated in 1992 again. Then a new biennial festival was initiated, known today as the Lutke International Puppet Festival.

An example of international co-production was LGL's 2009 performances that included a highly engaged puppet performance for adults about alienation in contemporary society Love Dolls (2009), co-produced with the Dutch DudaPaiva Company, curiously fused modern dance, puppetry, music and multimedia.

Love dolls by Duda Paiva (Brazil/Netherlands), a puppetry/objects extravaganza with live music, coproduced by Ljubljana Puppet Theatre and Duda Paiva Company in 2009

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre has been awarded funds from the Creative Europe programme of the European Union for a project entitled All Strings Attached: Pioneers Of European Puppetry Behind the Scenes. A more recent international project is also the Numeric’s Art Puppetry Project, an enterprise of developing and staging the various intersections between puppetry, technology and digital arts.

International awards

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre has toured through more than 80 cities in 30 countries and received many awards at international festivals, such as the International Puppet Theatre Festival Pierrot (Bulgaria), PIF Festival (Croatia), International Puppet Festival Golden Sparkle (Serbia), World Festival of Puppet Art (Czech Republic), International Theatrical Festival Valise, etc.

Venues

Large hall, 253 seats total.

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Large hall, 2010

Small Hall, 100 seats total.

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Small Hall, 2010

Stage Under the Stars, 300 seats total.

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Stage Under the Stars, 2010

Culturoom, 70 seats total.

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Cultroom, 2010

Tunnel

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Tunnel, 2010

External links

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre website
Milan Klemenčič presented on the All Strings Attached project website
Digitalised almanac Po stopinjah lesene Talije, 60 let Lutkovnega gledališča Ljubljana (in Slovenian)
A short history of Slovene puppetry, LGL web page
Ljubljana Puppet Theatre architecture - the history of the building from the Theatre Architecture in Central Europe web database
Twinkle Sleepyhead, a reconstruction of the 1955 puppetry performance, video

Gallery

Numeric's Art Puppetry Project supported by the Creative Europe programme is led by the Centre de la Marionnette de la Communauté Française de Belgique (BE), the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre being among the 3 partner organisations, 2017–2019.

Granny with the drums and Granddad with the lajna instrument, joined by Speckles the Ball who has flown in through the window. The puppets were fabricated by Jan Malik, the performance saw its première at the City Puppet Theatre (today's Ljubljana Puppet Theatre) in 1951 and became immensely popular around Slovenia.

Doctor Faustus performance staged in 2005 with the puppets made in 1938 by Milan Klemenčič. Directed by Jelena Sitar, music by Igor Cvetko, produced by Ljubljana Puppet Theatre.

Fran Levstik's Who Made Videk's Shirt puppetry performance conceived by Eka Vogelnik, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2006. The performance had its 400th reprise on 9 November 2014.

Svetlana Makarovič's Vila Malina, which she co-directed with Brane Vižintin, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2006.

Hübner Lutz's A Boxer's Heart puppetry show directed by Samo M. Strelec premiered at the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre in 2008

The Sleeping Beauty directed by Katarina Aulitisova and Lubomir Piktor, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2008

Love dolls by Duda Paiva (Brazil/Netherlands), a puppetry/objects extravaganza with live music, coproduced by Ljubljana Puppet Theatre and Duda Paiva Company in 2009

Twinkle Sleepyhead (Zvezdica zaspanka), staged for the first time in 1955 but still in the repertory today.

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Cultroom, 2010

The Stones by Tom Lycos Tom and Stefo Nantsou, directed by Ivica Šimić, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2010

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Large hall, 2010

Boris A. Novak's Little Luna and Big Luna directed by Vinko Möderndorfer, costumes by Alan Hranitelj, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2010

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Šentjakob stage, also known as Šentjakob Theatre, 2010

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Small Hall, 2010

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Stage Under the Stars, 2010

The Four Musicians by Matija Solce, visual concept by Marianna Stránská, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2010

Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Tunnel, 2010

The Thief of Bagdad by Jan Zakonjšek, visual concept by American artist Utchenik Shoshanna, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2011

Josip Ribičič's Black Cat Goes Courting by Jiří Vyšohlíd and Jelena Sitar, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, 2011

Romeo and Juliet puppetry play directed by Jaka Ivanc, with puppet design by Miha Knific, coproduced by Ljubljana Puppet Theatre and Koper Theatre, 2011

... further results

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 }}
 {{Contact
-| name                = Petra Škofič
+| name                = Petra Škofic
 | role                = Public relations
 | email               = petra.skofic@lgl.si
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 {{wide image|Ljubljana Puppet Theatre 2012 01.jpg}}
-Established in [[established::1948]], the [[Ljubljana Puppet Theatre]] (LGL) has greatly shaped the development of Slovene puppetry during the first half of the 20th century. It still does so, nowadays focusing on performances for children (theatre as well as puppetry) yet also offering a puppetry programme for adults. Its productions frequently receive wide national and international acclaim.
+The [[Ljubljana Puppet Theatre]] (LPT) is the main puppet theatre in Slovenia, running a varied programme of puppet as well as theatre performances, mainly &ndash; yet not exclusively &ndash; intended for children and youth. Established in [[established::1948]], the theatre encompasses classical puppetry tradition alongside its more contemporary forms and is actively shaping the development of puppetry as such. Involved in various international endeavours and works with domestic as well as international authors, its productions are often included at distinguished Slovene and international theatre or puppetry festivals.
-LGL organises the biennial [[Lutke International Puppet Festival]] and is bestowing the [[Little Prince Award]]. Having merged with the [[Theatre for Children and Youth (GOML)]] in 2009, it now also runs the [[Golden Stick Festival]] and sets up children's and youth theatre productions. The [[Museum of Puppetry]], a joint project of the theatre and the [[Ljubljanski grad Public Institute]], opened up in 2015 at the [[Ljubljana Castle]].
+It organises the [[Lutke International Puppet Festival]] and co-produces the [[Golden Stick Festival]], both taking place every second year. Having merged with the [[Theatre for Children and Youth (GOML)]] in 2009, LPT also runs and sets up children's and youth theatre productions. The [[Museum of Puppetry]], a joint project of the theatre and the [[Ljubljanski grad Public Institute]], opened up in 2015 and is stationed at the [[Ljubljana Castle]].
 }}
 ==Background==
-Ljubljana Puppet Theatre emerged as a follow-up to numerous semi-professional puppet groups organised in the region since the beginning of the 20th century. Soon after its establishment, the theatre found its own mode of expression and became the leading puppet theatre in the then Yugoslavia. At first it focused on works by Slovene authors, though the theatre's most important performances were adaptations of foreign works. One such production is the ''Spotty the Ball'' [Žogica Marogica], written by the Czech puppeteer Jan Malik, which remains unchanged in the repertory of Ljubljana Puppet Theatre since its première in 1951. Another timeless hit appears to be the  ''Twinkle Sleepyhead'' [Zvezdica zaspanka], written by [[Frane Milčinski - Ježek]] and in the repertory ever since 1955. It was followed by the same-titled film (in fact the first Yugoslav colour marionette film), which greatly contributed to its huge success.
+Initially under the name ''City Puppet Theatre'', LPT emerged as a follow-up to numerous semi-professional puppet groups organised in the region since the beginning of the 20th century. The theatre worked to develop its own mode of expression and soon became the leading puppet theatre in the then Yugoslavia. At first, the performances were based on the marionette technique, but it soon also got engaged in the possibilities of hand puppets. From the seventies onward the theatre has been focusing on advancing the technological and dramatic possibilities of puppetry, cultivating a captivating mixture of classical contents and experimentation.
-At first, the performances were based on the marionette technique, but soon the theatre started to develop hand puppets. From the seventies onward the theatre has been focusing on advancing the technological and dramatic possibilities of puppetry, cultivating a captivating mixture of classical contents and experimentation.
+Though LPT initially focused on works by Slovene authors, the theatre's most important early performances were adaptations of foreign works. One such production is the ''Spotty the Ball'' [Žogica Marogica], written by the Czech puppeteer Jan Malik, which remains unchanged in the repertory ever since its premiere in 1951. Another timeless hit appears to be the  ''Twinkle Sleepyhead'' [Zvezdica zaspanka], written by [[Frane Milčinski - Ježek]] and in the repertory since 1955. It was followed by the same-titled film, the first Yugoslav colour marionette film that has greatly contributed to its huge success.
-Not surprisingly, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre productions are often included in distinguished Slovene theatre festivals. The theatre has collaborated with great number of renowned theatre directors ([[Zvone Šedlbauer]], [[Janez Pipan]], [[Robert Waltl]], [[Vinko Möderndorfer]], [[Mile Korun]], [[Silvan Omerzu]]), visual artists and musicians.
 {{Vimeo|195164994}}
@@ Line 64: / Line 62: @@
 ==Main activities==
-Ljubljana Puppet Theatre repertory programme freely encompasses classical puppetry tradition alongside the more contemporary forms. The theatre works with domestic as well as international authors. The programme is divided into two segments, puppet performances and drama performances, including eight to ten premières annually. LGL organises puppetry workshops for children and, since 2009, the ''Puppet Forum'', a series of gatherings of puppet creators and the audience, through which the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre wishes to advance the art of puppetry.
+Ljubljana Puppet Theatre repertory programme is divided into two segments, puppet performances and drama performances, including about fifteen premières annually. Besides its regular performances it runs two festivals and is extremely active on the international stage.
-The theatre cultivates all the main puppetry genres (marionette, hand puppets, Java puppets, shadow puppets, mimic puppets) and preserves more than 2000 puppets from past performances. It keeps an important collection relating to the Slovene puppetry heritage &ndash; see [[Ljubljana Puppet Theatre Museum Collection]], now partly incorporated into the [[Museum of Puppetry]].
+The theatre organises puppetry workshops for children and adults, devoting attention to educational activities through which the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre wishes to advance the art of puppetry. For this end it thus systemically collaborates with various educational institutions.
+The theatre cultivates all the main puppetry genres (marionette, hand puppets, Java puppets, shadow puppets, mimic puppets) and preserves more than 2000 puppets from past performances. It keeps an important collection relating to the Slovene puppetry heritage &ndash; see the [[Ljubljana Puppet Theatre Museum Collection]], now partly incorporated into the [[Museum of Puppetry]].
-It runs two festivals, bestows puppetry and drama awards and is extremely active on the international stage.
 {{wide image|Ljubljana Puppet Theatre 2017 Virginija Volk.jpg}}
@@ Line 74: / Line 73: @@
 ==Programme==
-Ljubljana Puppet Theatre's programme includes stagings of classical children works as well as performances based on fresh children's texts by established ([[Svetlana Makarovič]], [[Boris A. Novak]], [[Vinko Möderndorfer]]) as well as emerging Slovene and international authors (Roald Dahl, Toon Tellegen, Wolf Erlbruch).
+Ljubljana Puppet Theatre's programme includes stagings of classical children works as well as performances based on fresh children's texts by established ([[Svetlana Makarovič]], [[Boris A. Novak]], [[Vinko Möderndorfer]]) as well as emerging Slovene and international authors (Roald Dahl, Toon Tellegen, Wolf Erlbruch). The theatre has collaborated with great number of renowned theatre directors (as for example [[Zvone Šedlbauer]], [[Janez Pipan]], [[Robert Waltl]], [[Vinko Möderndorfer]], [[Mile Korun]], [[Silvan Omerzu]]), visual artists and musicians.
 Together with the [[Konj Puppet Theatre]] LGL produced a few striking creations by the renowned Slovene artist [[Silvan Omerzu]], i.e. ''Forbidden Loves'', based on antique motifs, and awarded in Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria in 2010, and an interpretation of ''Pinnochio'', featuring different puppet techniques and dimensions, acting, shadows and music.
@@ Line 83: / Line 82: @@
 == International projects ==
+The LPT is a member of the International Puppetry Association UNIMA, ASSITEJ – International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, the Slovenian Puppetry Artists Institution, Small Size, an international association focused on productions for early years (under six years of age), and one of the founding members of NEECPA, a network of puppet centres joining primarily the key players from Scandinavia, the Baltic region and Russia.
 The International Puppetry Association (UNIMA) congress was first held in Ljubljana in 1933, and then repeated in 1992 again. Then a new biennial festival was initiated, known today as the [[Lutke International Puppet Festival]].
@@ Line 94: / Line 95: @@
 ==International awards==
-Ljubljana Puppet Theatre has toured through more than 80 cities in 30 countries and received many awards at international festivals, such as the International Puppet Theatre Festival Pierrot (Bulgaria), PIF Festival (Croatia), International Puppet Festival Golden Spark (Serbia), World Festival of Puppet Art (Czech Republic), etc.
+Ljubljana Puppet Theatre has toured through more than 80 cities in 30 countries and received many awards at international festivals, such as the International Puppet Theatre Festival Pierrot (Bulgaria), PIF Festival (Croatia), International Puppet Festival Golden Sparkle (Serbia), World Festival of Puppet Art (Czech Republic), International Theatrical Festival Valise, etc.
 == Venues ==
@@ Line 120: / Line 121: @@
 * [[Museum of Puppetry]]
 * [[Lutke International Puppet Festival]]
-* [[Little Prince Award]]
 * [[Golden Stick Festival]]
-* [[Little Golden Stick Awards]]
-* [[Konj Puppet Theatre]]
 * [[Ljubljana Puppet Theatre Museum Collection]]