In the early 17th Century, Italian puppeteers revolutionized puppetry across Europe. Pulcinella, originally a clownish Commedia dell’arte character, very quickly adapted himself to his new surroundings. In England he became Punch, in France Polichinelle, in Russia Petroushka, in Germany Kasperl and in the Low Countries Jan Klaassen. Though he is no longer seen on every street corner in Europe, his tradition still survives, against all odds.

Kris’ Pulcinella/Polichinelle/Punch and his beloved Teresina are a tribute to this pillar of Western civilization, to the great Italian puppet masters who keep him alive today, and to the resilience of the human spirit that this immortal duo represents.

 

 

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