The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-02-04
TX DRAMA I
The Puppet Theatre in U.S.SR

STA in the early part of the 18th
century, at time when the Russian
people had no idea of the theatrical
art. The first theatrical performance
in Russia took place at a somewhat
later period, during the second half
of the 18th century.
The puppet show came to Russia
from Europe, constituting the first
sign of the relations established be-
tween Muscovy and the West. These
relations were dictated by economic
circumstances, as the territory OF the
Muscovite State represented mar
ket of tremendous Importance for
European merchandise. This special
feature was introduced by some vag-
rant German comedians. 'Petrushka
little Peter, the name given to the
first puppet) very soon acquired great
popularity among the masses of the
people.
The 18th century in Russia was
marked by increased persecution OF
secular entertainments, music and
merriment by both the church and
the state. Church edicts of that per-
iod placed the ban on all amusements,
singing, dancing and music. A charter
issued by the Tar is 1648 provided
for the flogging of all those who dis
obeyed the ban on amusements.
1t was only since the beginning of
the 18th century that "Petrushka"
was allowed an unhampered existence,
and since the first half of the 10Th
century it became one of the favorite
varieties of popular amusement.
Subsequently the popularity of the
puppet show declined, owing chiefly
to the limitation of it's repertoire,
and the tedious uniformity of per-
sonages and dialogues. The October
Revolution, which revived all the
branches of art, contributed also to
the revival of "Petrushka". The pup
pet show has since been used as an
excellent vehicle for popular enter
tainment as well as for educational
and cultural purposes, particularly
in the rural districts, where this type
of amusement offers even greater
opportunities than the theatrical stage
and live human actors. No theatrical
show impresses the simple villagers
so readily as that of the puppets.
One of the reasons may be that
the mimicry Of the human actor can
never be so exaggerated and concen-
trated as that of the puppet. There
is a peculiar richness of dynamics in
the gestures of the puppet. "Petrush-
la," cleverly handled by the talented
comedian, may be turned into an eff
ficient spokesman on any topic. To-
day in the Soviet villages there is
hardly a popular festival without its
merry puppet show. "Petrushka"
talks about the needs of the village,
about the cooperatives, about the
business of the village Soviet. He
exposes the seamy side of village life,
and speaks of progressive agriculture
and the tractor.
On the May Day carnival the fig
ure of "Petrushka" clad in a scarlet
shirt attracts universal attention.
His pointed jokes evoke stormy ova-
tions, whilst the people in the audi
ence become infected with the testing
spirit, and sort of battle Of wits
ensues between the puppet perform
ers and the popular wits in the audi
ence.
Even more popular is the show
among the youngsters, and this fact
is taken advantage of by educators
who use it as a means for art edu-
cation. The puppet show for children
makes use of the children's dolls and
toys, and the little ones are quite
impressed.
Puppet shows are frequently given
at the workers clubs, dealing mostly
with industrial and cultural topics.
All the organizational defects and
shortcomings find their satirized por-
trayal in this show, usually produced
by the efforts of the club members
themselves. Other subjects are fur
nished by the various social festivals
and campaigns. "Petrushka" be-
comes the principal speaker" on such
occasions, and in his witty jokes and
ditties there is many an earnest word
spoken about the people and the
events of today.
At conference organized by the
Pedagogical Section of the Peoples
Commissariat of Education in 1926
a resolution was carried in which the
puppet theatre was recommended as
an educational method constituting
"a synthesis of the various arts, as
the children engaged in producing
the puppets are prompted to engage
in clay-modelling, in painting, in sew
ing the quaint costumes, in getting
up the scenario, the singing, etc.
1t was therefore recommended as an
excellent kind of activity with child
rem in the kindergarten and the ele-
mentary schools.
On the occasion of the Tenth An
niversary celebration of the revolu-
ton, puppet show, organized on a
large scale, travelled through the