Residents of Bolesławiec have already filled the Forum hall to capacity twice during performances by the children’s theatre from Jelenia Góra. “Peter and the Wolf” was enthusiastically received in February, while all seats were sold for the March performance of “Singbad the Sailor”.
Therefore, Bolesławiecki Ośrodek Kultury-Międzynarodowe Centrum Ceramiki invited the Jelenia Góra actors to Bolesławiec for the third time. On Saturday at noon, they presented a production based on Hans Christian Andersen’s well-known fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling”.
The performance, featuring both actors and puppets, had a rich script composed of several appealing scenes built around wise, simple dialogues and melodic songs. The puppets used in the performance delighted the children. The grey, awkward ugly duckling moved them, the foolish hen—very convinced of her own infallibility—made them angry, and the tomcat intrigued them as he wanted to play with the little ducklings. The mother duck was portrayed brilliantly; the actress and her puppet were authentic in their love for the children—the ducklings—and for the ugly creature that was bullied in the farmyard.
The children watched intently as the swan’s offspring wandered through life, becoming entangled among the domestic birds while dreaming of swimming in crystal-clear water. They greeted the story’s happy ending with joy and applause.
The children reacted very vividly to the wisdom conveyed by the fairy tale. Andersen’s story about the ugly duckling has taught us for years about tolerance, accepting people who differ from the rest, and looking with the heart rather than judging appearances.
Starting in September, BOK-MCC will once again invite audiences to performances by the theatre from Jelenia Góra. The theatre will appear on the Forum stage every last Saturday of the month.
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)