Within a frame of focussed spotlights, the miniature stage-within-a-stage in Traverse 2 created a further intimacy within the already intimate space there. This was emphasised by the amended pulled-in seating that allowed good views for the young audience of Puppentheater Halle from Germany as the puppeteers and puppets performed their version of The Golden Goose.
These seats were soon filled with eager chattering school children adapting to what for some might be a novel experience. (“I wish it wasn’t so dark,” said one). When the child announcer made the opening Imaginate speech, the ‘shooshing’ by a teacher became immediately superfluous as the audience became captivated.
The show starts with two suited and briefcased men (Uwe Steinbach and Nils Dreschke) entering and wishing the audience a twinkling ‘good morning’ before sitting at either end what of turned out to be a rather miraculous set.
They are playing the part of the Brothers Grimm as they compose the story of Rudolph and his wonderfully named ‘glued together community’, the Golden Goose and the Princess who couldn’t laugh.
Their competing versions are acted out through showing and telling with their beautifully crafted slim and detailed wooden puppets in scenes on a conveyor belt of a moving stage operated by the two irreverent and highly imaginative puppeteers who stayed in character, charming the children with excessive sweet eating and cheeky interaction. In these days of special effects and 3D, it was a pleasure to witness the children’s gasps of simple amazement of at the appearance of stars above them and being told in unison of the ‘Grimm’s’ opposing idealised visions of a landscape simultaneously addressed to each side of the audience before the very lovely happy ending . A thoroughly enjoyable way to pass a morning!
Puppentheater Halle was established in 1954 and was newly formed in 1995 by Christoph Werner and their aim is to “...discover all the possibilities of the magical combination of puppets and people...”. Their 2011/12 tour will include festivals in Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein as well as the UK.
Golden Goose run ended.
Imaginate Festival continues until 15 May