'PETYA / VOLK' in our regions better known as 'Peter and the Wolf' is a musical fairy tale by Sergej Prokofjev for speaking voice and orchestra. He wrote it on commission for a youth theatre in Moscow. The piece premiered in 1936. It became a worldwide success.
DE MAAN
Figurentheater DE MAAN from Mechelen truly takes the crown. Over the years it has brought 1000 performances of this musical fairy tale to the stage. Different generations were served each time with an artistic sensitivity. After more than 1000 performances, DE MAAN celebrates this jubilee with one last, festive and grand series of performances. Puppeteer Paul Contryn, who always manipulated the puppets, also shares in the celebration. In the past, figurentheater was clearly defined. Nowadays it is multidisciplinary, all artistic disciplines come together in figurentheater.
A performance with a bow of the finest quality, the music is performed live by the 22-member ensemble of Casco Phil under the direction of conductor Benjamin Haemhouts. Georges Ocloo directs and actress Ineke Nijssen narrates. The inimitable puppeteer Paul Contryn, grandson of the founder of puppet and figurentheater, brings the story to life. A thorough perfectionist and team player. He manipulated the puppets in various productions. Puppetry is more than a job for him, it is his life's work. The performances also underwent an artistic development. The cherry on the cake is being able to tell this story with a live orchestra, which Casco Phil was happy to engage with. The connecting factor: music as the foundation for the storytelling.
Staging
A staircase runs up along côté cour and côte jardin with a catwalk connecting both staircases. The musicians are arranged in this U-shape. In the middle of the stage stands a stylised tree with large leaves.
Immediately a thrilling tension is built. We are told that someone is still being waited for. Meanwhile, the musicians casually tune their instruments. Until the first violinist receives a phone call. The conductor is stuck in traffic! What now? Let's improvise then. Is there perhaps someone in the audience who knows the music well and can guide the musicians through the score? After some persuasion, a good soul does come forward, a bit of a lost figure. He stands behind the podium, raises his arms, but the musicians don't react. Again, and again… but no instrument, not a single note comes to life. Until Ineke Nijssen, the narrator, hands him a baton. The magic conductor's stick. Now the musicians do react. The children are engaged by the event, following the suspense and clever framing with eager ears and eyes.
The narrator lets the children hear which instruments stand for which characters. But… the puppeteer is also missed. A gentleman in a dust coat with headphones on had been sweeping the stage the whole time. Since time is running out, he is asked to bring the puppets and figurines to life and he manages wonderfully. Until Ineke Nijssen discovers after some time that it is the one and only unique Paul Contryn himself. Playing 1000 performances, that must be celebrated. He is crowned, there is Kiddie Bull champagne, confetti, the musicians come to congratulate him. A party is built. The goodwill conductor gets to take a break. In the tumult, the real conductor appears on stage, nicely dressed for the celebration. Attentive viewers will have noticed that it was the same person. Everyone is called to order and the performance can continue. Contryn's spontaneous play is heartwarming. In the puppets he captures the fragile beauty, figurines that seem to unfold almost of their own accord. Craft and playfulness united in one person. Ineke Nyssen is a true voice acrobat who deftly sets the voices of the various figurines. Together with the music, full of familiar earworms, this forms a dynamic whole. PETYA/VOLK, an atmospheric and entertaining performance of an admirable rarity.
A performance that brings joy to young and old. For parents and grandparents a nostalgic experience, for children a first encounter with a timeless gem. For children growing up today in a virtual world, figurentheater with a live orchestra is a unique experience. Definitely worth five stars.
WHAT: 'PETYA / VOLK' with music by Sergej Prokofiev
WHERE: DE MAAN
PERFORMERS: DE MAAN / Ensemble Casco Phil
WHEN: Wednesday23 November 2022 - 15:00