The students’ puppet theatre “Bi-Ba-Bo” from the Borisoglebsk branch of VSU gave performances in the Borisoglebsk Sholokhov Art Gallery between 28 February and 1 March. The play called “The Goldfish” based on Alexander Pushkin’s fairytales “Ruslan and Ludmila” and “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish” was attended by 159 people. Among them were 89 elementary schoolchildren (first grade pupils from school No. 5 and second grade pupils from school No. 12), 57 pre-school children, and 13 adults.
“Bi-Ba-Bo” and the gallery have been collaborating as part of the “Theatre in the Gallery” project and organising joint events for children for several years. This time, the puppet show concluded the presentation in the form of a conversation on “How lucky Russia is to have Pushkin” prepared by the gallery employees for the 225th anniversary of the poet.
Eighteen first, second, and third year students from the secondary vocational education of the “Correctional Pedagogy in Primary Education” programme took part in the performance. “The Goldfish” was shown for the first time with this cast and had great success. According to reviews from teachers, “The Goldfish” is an exciting and breathtaking play.
These words are confirmed by the children’s emotions. Some of them recited the poem “In Lukomorye a green oak stands” together with the host of the performance and Vera Pugach, Head of the theatre, associate professor of the university branch, some greeted each new doll with joy and surprise. And when after the performance the actors came out from behind the screen and walked among the viewers with their dolls, the children were completely delighted: they examined the puppets, put them on their hands and tried to play with them, and they also asked how the dolls were made.
A successful performance is the result of many rehearsals. It took the actors one month to practice their recitation, the movements of puppets and props, and to work on the change of scenery and musical accompaniment. As a result, they performed together as a well-coordinated team.
There will be more performances by “Bi-Ba-Bo”. In Alexander Pushkin’s anniversary year the “Bi-Ba-Bo” theatre is planning to show “The Goldfish” in educational and cultural institutions of Borisoglebsk.
