Original scientific paper

PETRICA KEREMPUH − HERO OF POPULAR PUPPET THEATER AS THE PIONEER OF ARTISTIC PUPPET THEATER

Igor Tretinjak

Abstract

This paper analyzes the beginnings of artistic puppetry in Croatia, through the titular hero of its first play, who is inextricably linked to popular puppet theater. The hero in question is Petrica Kerempuh, who was brought to life in puppet form in the 1920 staging of Petrica Kerempuh i spametni osel by Dragutin Domjanić. After introducing the initiators and idea of Puppet Theater, as well as the play itself, the paper focuses on its title character, contrasting him with the long standing tradition of popular folk puppet heroes from Pulcinella to Kasperle, Petrica’s nearest cousin. Along with finding their common characteristics and links, such as the humorous side of folk wisdom and cunning, as well as their critical and satirical edge, the paper notes and lays out the following points: the rigid structure of the text, Petrica’s atypical development, visual appeal, awareness of his linguistic leanings, moderated aggression, motivated conflicts, and character development. The paper uses these differences to highlight the shift from popular to artistic puppetry. The merger of popular and artistic elements proved to be a winning combination, and the play Petrica Kerempuh i spametni osel was well received by both public and critics, thus cementing in the firm foundation of artistic puppetry in Croatia. Puppet Theater, as the paper goes on to show, quickly outgrew its initial concept, and clipped its own artistic wings, while a similar fate would befall Petrica Kerempuh, who would go on to be reduced to a minor character through retrograde development.

Keywords

puppetry; Petrica Kerempuh; Puppet Theater; Velimir Deželić junior; Ljubo Babić; Dragutin Domjanić; Kasperle

Hrčak ID:

192183

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/192183

Publication date:

8.5.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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