File puptcrit/puptcrit.0804, message 256


Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:28:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Petrushka review


Allow me to complain about a recent review of Basil Twist's "Petrushka" by
Joan Acocella in a recent issue of the "New Yorker" magazine.  It's yet
another sad example of a person, who knows nothing of puppetry, given the
responsibility of writing about it.

It was a glowing review, and it's not my intention to take anything away
from Basil Twist.  But it was frustrating to read.

Ms. Acocella described Basil Twist as, "...a puppetry scholar, the sole
American graduate of France's Ecole Superieure Nationale des Arts de la
Marionette."  First of all, a person does not become a scholar just
because he or she graduated from a school.  And anyway, so what?  There
are many fantastically talented puppeteers all around the world, who for
one reason or another did not go to that school.  Are they any less
accomplished or "scholarly?"

Ms. Acocella compliments Twist because he "...has given (his puppets)
human qualities.  His Petrushka has moveable eyebrows..."  Wow!  What an
original innovation!

This production of "Petrushka" with puppets is written about as if it's
the only one that was ever staged.  I've seen several, and it would have
been beneficial for Ms. Acocella if she had too.

All right, I've let off enough steam.

Robert Rogers

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