Go and see: puppetry tips

If you are in Belgium don't miss the Art Day for Children or Kunstendag voor Kinderen this Sunday 16/11. There will be a lot of creative stuff to do and see. For example the show of Theater Tieret, they will play in a tent in Lint their short scientific show about dreams and dreaming Baraque Future. 

Or the show De steltenloper, which is a person walking on stilts... Those long wooden poles... sounds mysterious. (coproduction of De Maan and Nat Gras)

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It will be a special day for us too. Playing Popoty in Gent in the morning and The Cake Story - Koekensprook in the afternoon in Roeselare. May there be more Art days like this! See you!

Kukulu - Koekensprook

in the streets of Antwerp

While walking the streets of Antwerp with my parents, who visited us last week, I was just about to show them the building, which looks like a bacon. (Yes, it's on the Hofstraat and it looks like bacon, because it used to be a butcher's hall. So far our guide book says.) My dad suddenly calls my name and disappears in a tiny door going underground, just like Alice. I followed him and for my big surprise I appeared in an old, small puppet theatre. 

The curly puppeteer explained how lucky we are, because De poesje is normally closed. They play only on weekends and than for closed groups who book a performance. He showed us the marionette with big nose,  who's name is "The Nose" and he is one of the main characters. I asked if there is still one of the old original puppets. And than he showed us a puppet from (approx.) 1860. 

As I already speak some dutch, I was wondering why is the theatre called "kitten" (de poes - a cat, het poesje - little cat) I found out, that "poesje" or "poesjenel" is how they used to call the marionettes in the Antwerp's dialect. (Thank you, wikipedia...)

If you will visit Antwerp, check it out, stop by, there are more "poesje" theatres, but this one was so magic and tiny. Maybe the magic curly puppeteer will be there again and he'll show you the old heavy puppets. Maybe he will also show you how they can hit each other with a wooden stick! And maybe it'll be closed. Than have a look at least at the bacon building. And try again later.

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Back to the dark rooms

Finally it's again cold and dark outside and we can go hide in warm theatres and although it's dark there too, it's magical and special and we see beautiful things, or even scary things and things flying or falling or things in suitcases or things on strings...

I did it recently and went to see a show for the small ones called "Meer dan Beer" - meaning More than a bear. And here I choose three of my favourite moments of this visual/musical experience.

1. It all starts with this soft Teddy Bear waking up in his suitcase...

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2. The wallpapers!

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3. The most multifunctional/extremely professional puppet theatre stage!

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All of this is made by and performed by Maarten Van Aerschot from Tal en Thee figurentheater, Belgium.

mice and more

It is highly recommended to visit the Mouseland on the blog Mouses Houses. It somehow reminds me of my childhood. Maybe because the old school puppet films looked a little bit like this. And they weren't ignoring small details. Or because of the snow? Very very nice work... just come here and keep scrolling :)

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For the Belgian audience I have another hot tip for the second week of march! All puppetry lovers probably already heard of the BOZE WOLF festival (it means bad or angry wolf). This festival starts on the 8th of march in Aarschot. And the programme looks very very interesting! 

(And I won't be there... too bad. But than please all of you, who'd go, just let me know how it was, ok?) Have fun!

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Puppet of the week

Some say he looks like spaghetti. Some call him a hairball. (Well he is practically a hairball... ) Some don't trust him, some want to cuddle him endlessly... I am talking about Jos. A muppet who comes from the US and has definitely the most charming American look.

Jos is a heartbroken young man (I mean, human man) but one morning he wakes up and he realizes that he is a fluffy puppet. Nobody knows why. His best friend Najib is totally frightened but at some point they will find some way to work it out and together they'll seek for adventures. 

If everything goes well, the Belgian public might see a show about Jos and his friend soon on television. And this one isn't for small children. But until than, there has to be still a lot of work done. (like rolling on a floor or so...)  

And here's the handsome crew: Fabrice, Jakob, Jos, Aziz, Wesley and Jan. (Kris -the real human Jos is missing. And I was also supposed to be on a picture... have I mentioned that I was the puppet's hands?) Anyway, it was fun, especially being stuck under the table or elsewhere:) 

Good luck, Jos, hope you make the show run!

recommendations of the last month

Shortly before leaving to Vienna for the Kukulutour, we managed to go see one movie at the Film festival in Ghent. We picked The Selfish Giant a British film by Clio Barnard. (Of course we had no idea, who she is.) But not only that the director was personally there and she introduced us a bit into the topic before the film, we could also ask a few questions after the movie. But as everyone was deeply moved after watching, not so many questions were asked. And you know what? The movie won!! So it's not just my subjective recommendation ;) Find the trailer here.

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My recommendation number two is: Let yourself be portrayed by children. Look what happened in Vienna. This is me by three different kids, seeing me playing the show about Mia and her talking handkerchief at the very same time :) I just love the way my hairstyle changes... 

Recommendation number three: Go to puppet theatre! 

There has been done a new show by theater Froe Froe together with theater Tieret, both from Belgium. It's called Labyrint and it's a "VJ - acting - 3D - concert with all the masters of the puppetry". I am sooo curious :) They are going to be tripping around Belgium, so you better check out the play list HERE. 

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Some recommendations for this month? Have a good one and get your ice skates ready!! :D

good meat

It's not the first time I saw cute fluffy creatures cut in pieces. But in a puppet theatre I can handle it. (I secretly enjoy it :) Two butchers and one foxy narrator showed us how the things work in their "La Boucherie Renard" (by these guys). Bunnies getting electric chair, and chickens being catapulted in the air and a lot of steaming and burning machinery. Lovely show. And children were helping. Catching the flying parts of chickens or they acctually made the electric chair work. They also could pick the bunny which was finnaly skinned. Belgian kids are tough ;)

Later, like I wasn't lucky enough to see the butchers I managed to catch the end of the one man show - "Richard, le polichineur d'ecritoire" by Compagnie des chemnis de terre. Except that it was performed with real meat, the main character also used a meaty mask on his face. Magical! (and followed by loud reactions of the audience:) 

But I really need to learn some more french. It would help me to enjoy a little more. Otherwise it was all very formidable! :)

ONE YEAR!

So I totally missed the birthday of this blog!

Happy birthday Lemons and happy birthday Puppets! We were doing quite good. We've got people from many different countries checking out the blog regularly! Thank you all for that!! And we've also got our real own instagram profile! :) What an improvement! But most importantly we have the courage and motivation to go on and bring up some more from the strange world of arts, puppets, and any connected (or disconnected) inspirations!!

A year ago this blog begun with the biiiiiig event in Ghent, the Gentse Feesten Festival. And tomorrow it will all start again and the town will turn into a pulsing festival area. Many people left for holidays because of that, but many others are staying, or coming to town to celebrate in so many ways for ten days.

I'm the one staying. Naturally. And I am already putting together several programs and I am trying to figure out how to see enough shows/concerts and not miss anything important. (Which is really impossible in the amount of gigs!)

I picked three theatre shows which I'd like to recommend you, guys. For those in town, who can go see it during the next week, or for some who can keep it in mind and see these shows on another festivals. These shows tour Europe all year long ;)

1. My personal 'Numero Uno' is the Studio Orka and their Duikvlucht (cooperation with theater Antigone, Antwerpen). This show - Duikvlucht (google translates it as "nosedive") was last summer on the program of Zomer van Antwerpen (another Belgian festival). It was sold out for two months immediately. So I have my tickets already, no risking. Three other shows by Studio Orka, which I've seen before, were a splendid experience, so I guess this one will not be a disappointment. 

(The shows start tonight 19 - 22 july + 25 - 28 july at 15 and 19 o'clock but please find out more here.)

Check the trailer here. It also has English subtitles!

2. If you like new circus, in Belgium you are on the right place. The circus scene is blossoming over here. There will be a lot to see in the Baudelopark in Ghent, where the Jeugdcircus festival takes place (festival of young circus and the shows are for free). Via the Mira Miro festival you'll find circus on a many other locations too. I picked a show I had the pleasure to see once upon a time in Slovakia on the Cirkul'art festival - PakiPaya's show Shake Shake Shake.

Ladies, you don't wanna miss this handsome gentleman ;) 

27 july 15:30 and 19:30

28 july 17:30 and 21:00

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3. Let's not forget about the puppets! As many years before also this year the Puppetbuskers festival goes on. Still at their usual location in the beautiful Patershol on the Trommelstraat. It is probably for the last time that the festival will take it's place there, so you rather won't miss it. The program includes a lot of artists from Belgium, France, Great Britain, Spain and "young talents" from Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Russia etc... Most of the companies are new to me, but there will be the possibility to see the winner of last year "Young talent" category - Cie La Mandale and their Citizen P. I wrote about them here. 
You can see the show on 24 july in the shopping center Zuid 15:00, 26 july EFTC, Trommelstraat, 16:00.

Enjoy the shows, music, dance, party! Enjoy the beautiful weather! And all of you who can't be here, consider to visit Ghent next year around this time, it's surely worth it ;) 

See you around! ;)

work in progress

The Easter weekend wasn't only about chocolate eggs. 

The European Figurentheater centre (EFTC) was opening the festival "Poppenspelstad", which means something like The Town of Puppetry. Every last Saturday in the coming five months there will be a puppet show in the streets of Ghent. You can find the full program here. 

After the opening Punch and Judy show by Simon Moers (Be) under the new Town hall, people could see the work in progress of a hip hop dancer Mike Alvarez (Be) in the area of EFTC in Patershol. 

In the private sphere of the EFTC friends followed a belated New Years reception. Well, the weather was just like in January, so nobody protested.

Mike Alvarez - Entre 'Moi' et J'e'

What a shame, that EFTC is loosing their amazing location in the Trommelstraat. They were allowed to use it for 25 years. But now the time has run out. For the last time this summer, you can visit their Puppetbuskers Festival during the Gentse Feesten in the old and charming place. Afterwards they will need to find a new space. 

Good luck with that! Life is a change...

short and animated

Last time I went to see short films on a festival I had to run away. I hope it wont be the case tonight at Ciné Privé here in Ghent. There's one film I already longer want to see, it's called Oh, Willy (see video below). I like the 'texture' of it. The films should be projected in the greenhouses of the University of Ghent, so the atmosphere will be quite special and warm :)  

I let you know, how it was! (Or see you there!)

Why do I love Belgium #2

Donkeys! (:

Puppeteers Diary

Here is my article 'Puppeteers Diary' in the Austrian magazine for free theatre, 'Gift'. The issue arrived yesterday, thank you Freie Theater, you made my day! I called it a 'diary' because I'm writing about my personal experiences in Austria and Belgium, where I lived and tried to exist as a puppeteer. Yeah, such a happy topic :) Soon it should be possible to read the article online. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Puppet of the week

Yesterday I started rehearsals with the team of Theater Savooi. And this is Hendrik. Shy and neat ghost from the Huis van Alijn in Ghent. Sometimes he can be a superhero. And sometimes he is scared even of his own friend Poes - a cat. Excited about the new project! 

Why do I love Belgium #1

Almost a year ago, when we moved to Belgium I decided to find my top 10 things I love about this country. The first one was clear to me immediately. Biking. Not as a sport (oh my god, no!) but as a way of transportation.

Everybody bikes! Young people, old people, two people, little people, babies (sitting in a special cargo bikes). And the bike roads are wide, and signed and they don't just end somewhere... 

This was last spring. We were testing my brand new bike! Since than he went through a lot of rain, mud, even snow (!), one flat tire and two slight accidents ;) But I keep enjoying it and I look forward to some sunny days on the 'fiets'! 

Yes, I do!

Once upon a time last summer, we were busy marrying our friends! :) No, they were marrying each other, we just got a very responsible task, to prepare their ceremony. And we did. We prepared for their wedding an extraordinary, superspectacular and original puppet show! We wanted to tell the people their story, but we also wanted to entertain them and make them part of the fun. The solution was to have a priest as a narrator. Our priest puppet is the most sympathetic, a tiny bit senile character. 

The story of Frederik and Rebecca - the marrying couple, was not as simple as you think! We went deep down to their past, and introduced them as children, and slowly we followed the line of destiny, which brought them together! We had a concert of Rebecca's band 'Tigresse', we met Frederik's dog! We even went with them on their first date and than on their snowboarding trip to Austria! We yodelled and watched Frederik making the ring for Rebecca with his own hands! (that really happend!) We had to fight with the greedy Sméagol, who wanted to steal it (that also really happened!!). And at the end, we witnessed their big promise to stay together forever in good or bad ...

Such show happens only once, but that's what makes it even more special and of course it makes the couple's day unforgettable ;) 
Let's see if there will be some more weddings this year, where Kukulu could bring some puppet - fun!

Have yourself a merry little puppet

What a weekend! Our christmas show, Sonate for Lulu was part of the pre-christmas fever in the Ghent's shopping mall Zuid. I was affraid, that there might not be enough childern, because by this time the parents go shop alone. But no worries!! The rainy weekend was just inviting for some indoor activities, and surely many parents appreciated our show, to entertain the kids, while still getting the last Santa's secrets ;)

With the most beautiful snowy decoration of the shopping center, our show, was just like in a winterwonderland.

And now christmas can start for us too ;)