Upcoming shows

Ballet in two acts
Beginning: 16.04.2023 - 15:00
Completion: 16:35
The Adventures of Pinocchio
Yuri Shevchenko
The Adventures of Pinocchio
Libretto by Victor Lytvynov and Yuri Shevchenko
after the tale of the same name by Carlo Collodi
 
 
 

ACT I


Scene I

In the puppet theater they are preparing for the performance: everyone is doing their job – cleaners, coaches, decorators, stage workers, lighting workers... The owner of the theater and his puppet actors are rushing around the stage in a whirlwind, among them are the Fox and the Cat, the beautiful Blue-haired Doll, and the cute Puppy.

The curtain rises. The performance begins. The owner urges on the tired artists dancing with all their might. The fragile Doll can not hold up to such a rhythm and falls. The performance is disrupted... The owner is furious! The Fox and the Cat carry the broken Doll backstage.

 

 

Scene II

The puppeteer Geppetto admires the puppets he has made in his prop workshop. In his hands is a magic treble clef, at the wave of which a beautiful waltz is heard. The enthusiastic master imagines how his puppets perform on the stage of the Theater of Dreams. Then he takes up his usual work: he prepares tools, chooses a piece of wood, begins to hew it, but it breaks out of his hands, and even screams, demanding that he be more careful! An amazing log in the hands of the master gradually turns into a boy-doll with a long cheeky nose. Geppetto wants to rest after such unexpectedly hard work, but suddenly the wooden doll comes to life, taking his first hesitant steps. The surprised and happy master teaches the amazing doll to move, giving him the affectionate name of Pinocchio.

It was at this time that the Fox and the Cat brought the unfortunate broken doll to the workshop. The old prop man fixes the broken mechanism, and the doll comes to life. She needs to learn how to walk and dance again to get back on stage. Pinocchio helps her regain mobility and grace. They dance more and more deftly, plunging into the rhythms of a magical waltz. The sounds of music envelop everyone with a mysterious haze and spiritualize the dolls, between which a feeling of love is born.

The Fox and the Cat return to the workshop, wanting to take the Blue-haired Doll back to the theater. Pinocchio suggests running away to save the fragile Doll from any new bullying.

 

 

Scene III

In the ballet class of the theater a choreography lesson is being held: the puppets are practicing at the ballet barre. The boring classes become more fun because a new student has suddenly appeared in class – funny, awkward, and long-nosed. He grimaces, jokes, and amuses all the puppet people.

An enraged Puppet Owner and his henchmen are looking for the fugitives. The infamous guards – the Fox and the Cat – are constantly trying to treacherously mock the dolls, but every time Pinocchio destroys their plans. In the end, he persuades his friends to run away from the theater, where they are so mocked.

 

 

ACT II

The master and his loyal subjects, it seems, are about to overtake the fugitives. But Pinocchio and his friends, having felt freedom, are more nimble. On their way they come across a roadside tavern. Running inside, the friends are looking for somewhere to hide. The Innkeeper’s wide skirt makes a perfect hideout. In a moment, the pursuers of the wooden boy and his friends run in... And suddenly the enraged Puppet Owner seemed to be petrified. His gaze fixed on the beautiful innkeeper, who, in turn, also turned out to be not indifferent to the expressive visitor. Bewitched by the power of sudden love, they forget about the whole world, merging into a romantic dance.

Surprised by such a metamorphosis, Pinocchio secretly kicks the Puppet Owner, but he, blinded by love, does not react to the tricks of the wooden prankster, turning from an angry lion into a meek domestic kitten.

Geppetto appears. He waves the magic treble clef, and beautiful music begins to sound, the sounds of which envelop the hearts of even those who, until recently, seemed to be inaccessible to goodness. In peace and harmony all the heroes go to the Theater of Dreams.

 

 

Epilogue

The Theater of Dreams welcomes artists and spectators. Geppetto rejoices at the meeting with his favorite – the mischievous Pinocchio, who has settled in the old man’s heart the happiness of parental love. Love, which endowed him with extraordinary power. Waving the key again, Geppetto turns the dolls into people. In this he is helped by magical Music, which has the power to make the world a better place!