Austria's great small operas - 7th April 2023

To become a puppeteer at the famous Salzburg Marionette Theatre takes as long as to become a doctor. Puppeteers spend years learning to move the puppets in a life-like manner. That explains why UNESCO has recognised this Austrian theatre's cultural achievement.

Edouard Funck was born in Paris but as a small child, he was fascinated by puppets. In 2011 he was given the opportunity to begin working at the Salzburg theatre. According to him, being a puppeteer involves many different jobs, apart from doing the performances themselves.

Edouard Funck: "I arrive in the morning, I work in the costume workshop from 9 am to 2 pm, I leave in the afternoon and I come back in the evening to play, for the show. That's really a typical day. Each puppeteer creates and is an integral part of the fabrication."

The marionettes' realistic performance is due to Anton Aicher, who set up this theatre a century ago. Aicher also developed the small crossbar which is attached to each puppet by 11 strings. It allows for a great range in movement.

Edouard Funck: "All these little cross-braces allow us to get them to interact closely, so they can kiss each other, hug each other, hit each other, whatever we want, and it's this diversity of movements contained in this little cross that is protected."

At times, up to five people are needed to operate a more complicated puppet. Their tiny, careful movements can almost make theatre-goers believe they're real.

Memories of the puppet performances can remain with audiences for years. As a girl, Ilse Laubbichler had her first ever theatre experience at this puppet opera house. She now brings her grandchildren, to create their own magical memories.

Ilse Laubbichler: "I love the characters, their movements, it's absolute art. You can portray everything from a ballet dancer, to a dog, to a dragon, anything you want, not to mention Kasperl. It's been with me since I was a child, it was my first theatre experience."