Event

PULCINELLA

Northwest Puppet Center presents Paul Mesner Puppets with PULCINELLA!
Only playing one night so don't miss this chance to see Pulcinella's zany antics. Find out how the legendary buffoon escapes every predicament thanks to his trusty slapstick and his tricksterish wits. With this production, Paul Mesner adds his own personal flair while also continuing the legacy of a comical puppet tradition which has been passed down in Italy for centuries.

Pulcinella is the hero of this show, however, he is far from pure innocence. Pulcinella's joyful but noisy antics gets him into trouble with his neighbor. Pulcinella's response to the complaints is a whack with his slapstick. Suffering from the blow, the neighbor conveniently collapses into a coffin! Exhausted by all the excitement, Pulcinella decides to take a nap and Death comes to claim his property. Pulcinella awakens just in time. Soon the police arrive and Pulcinella insists the man in the coffin is merely asleep. Failing to elude the law, Pulcinella finds himself in prison awaiting his punishment. When the hangman arrives, Pulcinella tricks death again and lives on to dance another day.

Commedia dell'Arte swept through Europe in the 17th and 18th century with itinerant troupes of masked actors and troupes of puppets. Commedia invented slapstick comedy and influenced the development of basically all theatre in Europe. While the masked actors disappeared from the stage for a few generations, the puppeteers have preserved the living tradition, often performing Pulcinella and his cousins (including Mr. Punch) as street theatre.

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Please note: This performance is not intended for young children due to slapstick violence and slightly crude humor. Children are allowed to attend but please contact the puppet center if you have any specific concerns: info@nwpuppet.org