MARICHKA, THE BLABBERMOUTH

ABOUT THE PLAY

"You should learn to keep your mouth shut, Marichka. Or you will bring us into trouble one day.''

Oh, that Marichka! She's a good woman, she loves her husband Petro, but she can't keep her mouth shut. So, she gossips and blows out of proportion everything she hears because she loves colourful stories. That's why her husband Petro is a bit cross with her. Also, the mean bailiff might clamp down on them! But Marichka can't help herself. And so, when one day Petro finds gold while ploughing the landlord's field, he is not only happy but also very worried: how to prevent Marichka from spilling it and the bailiff from confiscating the gold?

The fairy tale is intended primarily for Ukrainian children and their Czech friends from Pilsen kindergartens and schools. So that Ukrainian children have contact with their culture here in the Czech Republic, too. That's why the director and stage designer Tomsa Legierski drew on traditional Ukrainian Motanka (knitted) dolls when making the puppets.

In Czech and Ukrainian.

• Length:50 min.
• Age category:5+
• Directed by:Tomsa Legierski
• Dramaturgie:Petra Kosová
• Music by:Petr Vydarený
• Designed by:Tomsa Legierski
• Premiere:2024

About theatre:

The Alfa Theatre started its activities as a puppet theatre in 1966 and to this day it focuses on production for children and teenagers. One of its dramaturgical lines is based on the roots of Czech folk puppeteers and develops their legacy in the context of contemporary puppet theatre, the other line examines alternative puppetry approaches to classical titles or devised theatre. In addition to productions for the youngest ones, the ensemble is looking for a way to reach the demanding teenage audiences, also through European projects. Thanks to their masterful work with puppets, ALFA is a sought-after guest at many domestic and international festivals. Since 1967, the Alfa Theatre has been organizing the Skupa's Pilsen festival.