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Show: The Biggest Marionette Circus in the World
Society: Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Venue: Momentum at St Stephens
Credits: Teatr Klinika Lalek
Type: Sardines
Author: Chris Abbott
Performance Date: 10/08/2015
The Biggest Marionette Circus in the World
Chris Abbott | 10 Aug 2015 18:23pm
There have been marionette circuses for almost as long as there have been circuses, and the version from the Polish group, Teatr Klinika Lalek, was traditional in so far as lions, elephants, strong men and clowns took part; but they were joined by giraffes and some very impressive performing fish. The main difference, however, is that most of the marionettes were very large indeed, although calling them the biggest in the world might raise eyebrows in Nantes and Amiens.
The packed audience of local families at the Momentum venue, a vast and almost circular church, were greeted by very small marionettes of a lion, an elephant and a giraffe. These, we were told, were the Wee Sweeties, and would be our guide to the show involving the larger performers.
The children were all entranced as the performance began, and very well-behaved, but let down by many of their parents who kept taking photographs, answering texts and generally making a nuisance of themselves.
The large group of performers were adept at communicating with the audience, and although the Ringmaster provided most of the spoken narrative, the mime skills of the other performers were excellent. From the moment one performer moved into the light, looked at the audience and just willed them to clap in time with him, we knew we were in safe hands. Two clowns with large hats were very silly, but in a way which always communicates to young children who enjoy adults who are stupid.
A large key was turned to bring each of the large marionettes to life, the giraffe and elephant being life-sized and the lion as big as the elephant. All were suspended from movable wheeled frames and operated by as many as nine puppeteers, enabling remarkably life-like movement. Highlights included Emmanuelle the giraffe, microphone in hoof, singing a sad song and then doing a tap dance; and the lion taking his opportunity and biting off the head of the lion-tamer (though this was restored to him shortly afterwards).
The ringmaster spoke in English throughout and had perhaps been added for the UK tour; he was excellent but probably didn’t need to provide so much narration; the communication skills of the performers made some of it redundant. Mind you, he got the parents on his side when he told the children that to perform in a circus you need fifteen hours sleep a night.
The performing fish, mouths agape as they swam over our heads, stunned the audience who really did not want to send them back to the North Sea as requested. The performance ended with the enormous elephant flying over the audience. This group understands exactly how to engage and enthral a young audience: a superb example of marionette theatre – catch it if you can.
- : admin
- : 10/08/2015