From: Jimsan777-AT-aol.com
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 21:38:23 EDT
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org,
Cc: 
Subject: [Puptcrit] Critique PF in Sibenik, Croatia


Dear Critters and friends,

   Thought you'd like to read a critique of my pf in Sibenik a couple of
weeks ago.   The 45th International Children's Festival ran for three weeks.  
Although it was a chidren's festival, many of the performances were more
appropriate for adults than children. At least this writer thought, "they finally got
it right!"   The international meeting of UNIMA representatives also met at
this festival, and I was able to meet many old friends from other tours around
the world..   I'm looking forward to seeing many of you "critters" in St. Paul
next week.   May we identify ourselves with a special "Critters" badge?  
Sincerely, Jim Gamble

GO JIMMY, GO-GO!

Real Festival`s program   is back on the Summer stage. Believe or not in it`s
best possible way. Opportunity to change already made mistakes was given to
guest from California and they took opportunity on best way bringing back
respect of western performances. This excellent performance with simple scenery
proved how creative people can make everything from nothing. Coming on
performance equipped only with three red curtains didn`t promise much. There was also
board JIM GAMBLE PUPPET`S PRODUCTION. By his appearance and humble introducing
to audience Mr. Jim make sure that his show won=E2=80=99t be disappointment. Small
objections we could address on Jim=E2=80=99s microphone which did not allowed him to
finish his sentences. Little spooky was translator=E2=80=99s deep voice, which almost
scared us (children).
 Against little problems performance successfully started. The first puppet
was Jim=E2=80=99s favorite character =E2=80=93 Jack Frost, the skater, delighted us with his
perfectly practiced movements and the elegance. Pirouettes and jumps in the=20air
were so good like by professional skaters. After him there was Pinocchio
especially made to entertain children in Disneyland. Were popular among all=20ages,
although his synonym for lies he gained sympathy toward children of Sibenik.
After Bepo the Jongleur, which jongled with balls, came young English girl
Muffin. We have to admire the fact that with only one movement she transfers from
girl to a spider.
Puppet Igor made audience laughing. He is just a goofy character putting his
head down, rolling it with legs, etc. =E2=80=A6 instead of making gymnastic=20figures
which he supposed to make. Percy is a name of most shy character we had
opportunity to see, but encouraged with applause of audience he jumped and kissing
girls.
Dancing Kozaks showed to us that Americans still believe that the Russians
are still communists. Dressed in red dresses they danced Kozac`s dances
skillfully moving their legs. One of the most interesting puppets is Rabbit=20Hulio,
hip-hop dancer, Ghosts from Ghostbusters. =E2=80=9CWho waits gets=E2=80=9D?=20It was worth of
waiting. With few exceptions finally waiting brings to us true children
performance on our Festival. Cheerful and amusing Jim Gamble perfectly managed his
puppets. It won=E2=80=99t be too much if we say some of them had moves better than real
animals. Legendary Penguin moved and waved with his wing so honestly, also was
very interesting Star stick with which Jim made out few geometric figures and on
the end he made a tie. And all that with one puppet.
Simple pants and summer shirt was everything from costume design, what was
enough as all the other was done by puppets themselves. They costume design=20gets
best marks. We don=E2=80=99t want to make Jim=E2=80=99s part less important, as less than 30
degrees Celsius in front of lot of children=E2=80=99s eyes it is very difficult to
control such sophisticated puppets. At least not with such simplicity and
elegance.
Excellent choice of music was on the same level like other parts of
performance. Music was perfectly following puppets and their behave on stage.
In order that everything was so perfect we have objection against light
technicians as they put reflectors in front of our eyes, so we are not sure=20if we
had missed something of the performance.
It was unusual to see good performance on this year=E2=80=99s Festival. More unusual
was the fact that no one went from the audience till the end of performance. It
=E2=80=99s is also due to Mrs. Jasenka Ramljak, we congratulate and thanks for
excellent choice.
If we continue to count everything that was excellent last night we will need
whole Bilten for that. With hope to see a few more performances of equal
quality like this one, we wish you everything best with satisfaction that we have
seen something good at last.
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