AS YOU LIKE IT -- State Puppet Theatre, Bourgas, Bulgaria

script: William Shakespeare
director: Hristina Arsenova
cast: Iroslav Petkov, Nedilina Mladenova
scenography and puppet design: Emeliana Panayotova Andonova-Toteva
lighting design: Nikolay Koychev Kyuchukov
sound design: Svetlin Ivanov Petkov

WORLD PREMIERE

Shakespeare's frolicsome romantic comedy, as told by puppets. In Bulgarian.

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This was a whole hell of a lot of fun!

First, I was very surprised at the nature of the puppeteer/puppet aspect of the performance. I was expecting strictly a puppet performance, with puppeteer visible. But in fact, the two puppeteers were also characters in the play, as well as controling certain puppets and even, at times, being extensions of the puppets.

The puppets were not marionettes, nor were they traditional hand puppets, but some kind of unique mix. Control was made mostly by grasping the back of the head of the puppet, but at times they stood rigid, alone, and often they were moved about in a very flowing manner. I'm certain that there was something used to keep them straight, but I never saw what it was or how/when it was attached.

The puppets and scenography were brilliant in design! Emeliana managed to pack the entire set into a rough-shaped ball about the size of a laundry basket, which opened and became a myriad of different things.

The work of the actor/puppeteers was great. Iroslav Petkov was immediately loveable and a perfect comic foil (imagine Steve Martin in his prime, working with puppets). Nedilina was no less talented, but was definitely overshadowed by Iroslav's comic manic-ness (mania?).

English subtitles were projected on a screen above the performers, but I found that I didn't pay much attention to it. In part, I know the script well enough that I didn't need to see it, word for word, and also, like the Polish Othello, they managed to tell the story clearly enough that one didn't need to understand every word.

I had the good fortune to spend some extra time with this company -- drinks with the director and scenographer the evening of their arrival, and dinner and drinks after the first performance. They were incredibly charming and unpretentious. I was surprised to learn that the performers were required to study acting before they could study puppeteering. I shouldn't have been surprised, judging by the show, but I don't think that the same holds true here in the West.

A total delight and a highly recommended show.