From Lettie

Received an urgent phone call from an old friend whom I had collaborated on puppet productions with in the 1960s. He had been to see "The Queen of Spades", an opera by Tchaikovsky based on a novella by Pushkin, and was most enthusiastic about the use of puppets in this production. This is a man who has written for puppet theater, and is a long time opera fan. He wanted me to rush over and see the opera. He kindly sent me the program and I herewith include some of the information gathered from it. Credit for the puppeteering goes to Lunatique Fantastique, directed by Chris Pirie of Green Ginger based in Bristol, England. The puppet interlude is substituted for the usual pastoral ballet in Act two in this production by Richard Jones. The puppet play tells a different story from the traditional ballet, and is not the mere substitution of puppets for dancers. In the puppet play the characters clearly represent those of the opera's main characters, making the drama "intensely surreal". "Puppets show us things that dancers, by their nature, cannot." Puppets make appearances on stage in addition to the show within a show.

As some of you may know, Lunatique Fantastique was founded in 1997 by
artistic director Liebe Wetzel. Their productions are often seen at the Marsh in San Francisco. The manipulators for "The Queen of Spades" are Susie Danzig, Bill Olson, Cherie Panek, Liebe Wetzel and Chris White. For more information about them, visit www.lunfan.com .
"The Queen of Spades" will be performed on June 25, and 28th, and on July 1 and 7th at the San Francisco Memorial Opera House. Contact the opera box office for ticket availability. If seats are not available or too expensive there is always standing room.

Another heads-up for puppeteers who want to increase their knowledge of theater arts, the Piccolo Teatro di Milano will perform Goldoni's comedy "Arlecchino, Servant of Two Masters " at Cal Performances at UC Berkeley in the Zellerbach Playhouse (not the big hall) October 26-28, 29 and 30th. Join Piccolo for a rare American performance featuring the great Italian actor Furruccio Soleri in a role he has called his own for more than 50 years. "Truly world drama at its best." With English supertitles. For information call 510 642-9988 or go to www.calperfs.berkeley.edu Lots to be learned about physical comedy, an element sadly lacking in many puppet shows. But that's not the only opportunity to learn and observe. On February 4, 2006 Imago Theatre of Oregon will present "Biglittlethings" in a matinee and evening performance. Masks, movement and music.

(This for your information, I don't dare recommend anything after the
National Black Light Theatre of Prague's performance. LCS)