Tuttifäntchen

About

The National Theatre Opera is extending its repertoire for children and entire families with a new production of a fairy tale that is traditional and non-traditional alike.

In 1922, the German composer Paul Hindemith wrote music for Hedwig Michel and Franzisca Becker’s Christmas play Tuttifäntchen. It tells the story of the woodcarver Tuttifant and his puppet, Tuttifäntchen, which comes to life and runs wild. Deeming it useless, the puppet steals the heart of the woodcarver’s daughter Trudel, and the two set out into the world …

Where will they get to? Will Trudel gain back her heart? And what actually is the difference between people and puppets? And do trees have anything in common with humans? The enthralling fairy tale, abounding in wisdom, fantasy, tension, and evoking a wonderful Yuletide atmosphere, unfurls to Paul Hindemith’s lovely, melodious and airy music, inspired by nursery rhymes, Christmas carols and even dance jazz, music that is close to children’s souls.

The story of Tuttifäntchen brings to mind the adventures of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio and, particularly, E. T. Hoffmann’s Nutcracker. The Christmas musical tale, featuring songs, dance, mime, acrobatics and, naturally, puppets, will be presented in Czech premiere, as arranged and translated by the dramaturge Ondřej Hučín, and staged by the director, mime artist and choreographer Radim Vizváry, the artistic director of Laterna magika.

The production is part of the Musica non grata cycle.

Creatives & cast

Direction and Choreography: Radim Vizváry

Sets and costumes: Eva Jiřikovská

Conductor: David Švec

National Theatre Orchestra