Kasperle
Encyclopedia
Kasperle is a famous and traditional puppet
character from Austria
and Germany
. Its roots date to 17th century and was at times so popular that Kasperltheater was synonymous with puppet theater. Kasperltheater includes the following characters: Kasper, Gretel, Seppel, princess, king, witch, robber, and crocodile. The older, more traditional Kasperle shows are very similar to "Mister Punch
". Then there are "Kasperle Versions" of Brothers Grimm
fairy tales, and "modern fairy tales."
Kasper (known as Kasperl and Kasperle in southern Germany and Austria) is the hero of German puppet theater. The name Kasper probably comes from the ancient Persian meaning "keeper of the treasure." Tradition holds one of the three Magi who visited the Christ Child was named Caspar. This character also existed in the mystery plays of the medieval Church.
The puppet Kasper, along with France
's Guignol
, and Britain
's Punch and Judy
has his origins in the character of Pulcinella
, a stock character
of the Italian
Commedia dell'Arte
. Pulcinella was a violent character typically dressed in white clothing, a long white hat, and a black mask. The character is generally identified with Naples
.
The puppet character actually named Kasper first appeared in Munich in 1858 in a marionette play (The Enchanted Lily) by Graf Pocci. Like his cousin Punch, the early Kasper used a slapstick to beat the Devil, Witch, and Crocodile.
introduced the form of Kasper Theater recognized today. Kasper became a positive hero, eventually stopped using the slapstick (except in Bavaria and Austria), and took on a more child-like quality. This form is called the Hohensteiner style (after Hohenstein Castle in Saxony
where Max Jacob and his troupe lived and Kasper performances were held).
Modern Kasper plays involve Kasper helping his friends (Grandma, Seppel, the Princess, etc.) with various problems. For example, the Witch turns Seppel into a chicken or someone steals Grandma's cake. The structure of Kasper theater is also used to retell Grimm Fairy Tales such as Hansel and Gretel
and Little Red Riding Hood
. In Southern Germany and Austria, Kasper is known as Kasperle or Kasperl (the diminutive form of Kasper).
Kasper and his friends come alive for children as soon as the play starts. When watching a skit, the children learn important values in a safe and healthy way. In this world of make-believe, children are free to express their thoughts and creativity. While role-playing, children relive their daily experiences learning to understand the feelings of others, freeing themselves from fears and worries. Adults, whether playing along or just watching, can gain valuable insight into children’s motivations and feelings. At the same time, children are also developing their motor and verbal skills.
Children spontaneously make up stories as puppet play progresses. They quickly begin to create their own situations and dialog. The following pages provide several interesting stories and descriptions of the major characters. You will realize that puppet play isn’t just about fairy tales. Modern topics and themes are easily expressed and developed.
Kasper is our unbeatable hero. He laughs and jokes, even in the face of danger. Kasper is always ready for an adventure with his friends. He uses puns, wordplay, and wit and to win the day. Since Kasper is childlike himself, children identify closely with him. In the skits, children accompany Kasper on his adventures, and together they bravely face danger.
Gretel is Kasper’s good friend. She is clever, practical, and helpful. She often helps Kasper by outsmarting the villains. With her many positive traits, Gretel is a good female role model.
Seppel is Kasper’s other good friend. He is easygoing, occasionally clever, and strong. He never passes up a good meal. He often warns Kasper about going on risky adventures and scares easily
The Policeman represents authority and society’s laws. He is a good friend and helps to set things right. The Policeman is often asked for advice. Though he may overlook Kasper’s pranks, he will give Kasper a stern look or warning reinforcing the value of rules in society.
The Robber is rotten, mean, filthy, a liar, and lazy to boot! He is very strong, but luckily he isn’t very bright. Hence, he is always caught and punished.
Besides being evil, stubborn, easily annoyed, and crafty, the Witch can cast spells and often teams up other villains. She is the role children frequently choose to act out aggression or unexpressed conflict.
The Wizard is powerful, wise, and helpful. He only uses his powers for good. However, he tends to take himself too seriously, and when Kasper is having fun at his expense, he will often ask, “Don’t you know who I am?” The Wizard’s outrageous entrances are often a great source of laughter.
The Crocodile has a large snapping mouth filled with sharp teeth. He is a mindless eating machine.
Grandma is both wise and an expert on manners. She is the calm point in any Kasper play. Grandma often rewards Kasper and Seppel with sausages after their adventures. By allowing her grandchildren their adventures without being too strict, Grandma leads the children down the path to individual identity.
The King is powerful and just in his decisions. He rewards the characters for their bravery. It is often only with Kasper’s help that the King can remove danger from his realm. The royal family often represents the child’s own family. These characters are also used to imitate adult relationships such as courtship and marriage.
an American based company under the direction of Silesia
n-born Peter Schumann
often presents short skits by the fictitious "Rotten Idea Theater Company" which features multiple Kaspars. The Kaspars are generally violent, dishonest tricksters, and play out some form of political or social satire
while beating each other with clubs.
. Over time, his name was anglicized to "Punch," and he became a hand puppet
. "Pleased as punch" and "beat the devil" probably originated from Punch and Judy
puppet theater.
Whereas the Max Jacob-inspired Kaspar has abandoned much of the bawdiness of 17th century street performance, Punch embraces it. The traditional Kasper and modern Punch use a slapstick to beat the crocodile, police, and even the Devil. "Slapstick" originates from the Commedia Dell'arte baton made of wooden slats fastened together like a castanet. On impact, the slapstick makes a loud slapping sound. The term has become synonymous with physical comedy.
Punch is aggravated by his whining child, nagging wife (Judy), and ineffective bureaucracy. This eventually leads to Punch hitting other characters with his slapstick, but it is a very ritualized form of violence. Traditional shows ended with Punch defeating the ultimate evil and proclaiming "Huzzah, Huzzah, I've killed the Devil!" In modern endings, Punch is punished by being swallowed by the crocodile, scared into repentance by a ghost, or arrested by the police.
Punch performances also differ from Kasper by use of a "swazzle." The swazzle is used to give Punch a high pitched, squeaky sound. Punch performances are usually put on by "professors". In some cases, Punch may be unintelligible, and the "professor" must act as an interpreter.
During the 19th Century, Punch performances could be easily found on the streets of England. Today, they are much less common. As a continuing English tradition, Punch performances are more likely to be found on the beach during holidays.
Forms of Pulcinella can be found throughout Europe and even Turkey
. The characters have different names in various countries. In France, he is known as Pulchinelle (Guignol
, a figure developed in the 19th century around Lyon
, shares many features with Pulchinelle but cannot be said to derive directly from Pulchinelle). In the Netherlands
, he is Jan Klaassen, a character whose personality varies greatly from region to region -- sometimes sweet, sometimes a trickster. Turkey's Karagoz and the Greek Karaghiozis descend from a common Ottoman shadow puppet tradition; the origin of these traditions and the relationship, if any, to the Pulchinella "family" is unknown. Likewise, the Javanese shadow puppet figure of Petruk, shares characteristics with these European figures -- some Javanese identify Petruk as a European -- and it is tempting but impossible to confirm a historical relationship.
Stravinsky made the Russian Petrushka
famous with his ballet of the same name. This story involves three puppets (Petrushka, the Ballerina, and the Moor) that come to life. Eventually, Petrushka is murdered by the Moor out of jealousy for the Ballerina. In the final scene, it's discovered that Petrushka was just stuffed with hay all along.
Puppet
A puppet is an inanimate object or representational figure animated or manipulated by an entertainer, who is called a puppeteer. It is used in puppetry, a play or a presentation that is a very ancient form of theatre....
character from Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Its roots date to 17th century and was at times so popular that Kasperltheater was synonymous with puppet theater. Kasperltheater includes the following characters: Kasper, Gretel, Seppel, princess, king, witch, robber, and crocodile. The older, more traditional Kasperle shows are very similar to "Mister Punch
Punch and Judy
Punch and Judy is a traditional, popular puppet show featuring the characters of Mr. Punch and his wife, Judy. The performance consists of a sequence of short scenes, each depicting an interaction between two characters, most typically the anarchic Punch and one other character...
". Then there are "Kasperle Versions" of Brothers Grimm
Brothers Grimm
The Brothers Grimm , Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm , were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who collected folklore and published several collections of it as Grimm's Fairy Tales, which became very popular...
fairy tales, and "modern fairy tales."
Kasper (known as Kasperl and Kasperle in southern Germany and Austria) is the hero of German puppet theater. The name Kasper probably comes from the ancient Persian meaning "keeper of the treasure." Tradition holds one of the three Magi who visited the Christ Child was named Caspar. This character also existed in the mystery plays of the medieval Church.
The puppet Kasper, along with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's Guignol
Guignol
Guignol is the main character in a French puppet show which has come to bear his name.Although often thought of as children's entertainment, Guignol's sharp wit and linguistic verve have always been appreciated by adults as well, as shown by the motto of a prominent Lyon troupe: "Guignol amuses...
, and Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
's Punch and Judy
Punch and Judy
Punch and Judy is a traditional, popular puppet show featuring the characters of Mr. Punch and his wife, Judy. The performance consists of a sequence of short scenes, each depicting an interaction between two characters, most typically the anarchic Punch and one other character...
has his origins in the character of Pulcinella
Pulcinella
Pulcinella, ; often called Punch or Punchinello in English, Polichinelle in French, is a classical character that originated in the commedia dell'arte of the 17th century and became a stock character in Neapolitan puppetry....
, a stock character
Stock character
A Stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype. Stock characters rely heavily on cultural types or names for their personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics. In their most general form, stock characters are related to literary archetypes,...
of the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Commedia dell'Arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
. Pulcinella was a violent character typically dressed in white clothing, a long white hat, and a black mask. The character is generally identified with Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
.
The puppet character actually named Kasper first appeared in Munich in 1858 in a marionette play (The Enchanted Lily) by Graf Pocci. Like his cousin Punch, the early Kasper used a slapstick to beat the Devil, Witch, and Crocodile.
The Hohensteiner style
In 1920, Max JacobMax Jacob (puppeteer)
Max Jacob was a German puppeteer and the developer of the Hohnsteiner Kasper Theatre in the 1920s....
introduced the form of Kasper Theater recognized today. Kasper became a positive hero, eventually stopped using the slapstick (except in Bavaria and Austria), and took on a more child-like quality. This form is called the Hohensteiner style (after Hohenstein Castle in Saxony
Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
where Max Jacob and his troupe lived and Kasper performances were held).
Modern Kasper plays involve Kasper helping his friends (Grandma, Seppel, the Princess, etc.) with various problems. For example, the Witch turns Seppel into a chicken or someone steals Grandma's cake. The structure of Kasper theater is also used to retell Grimm Fairy Tales such as Hansel and Gretel
Hansel and Gretel
"Hansel and Gretel" is a well-known fairy tale of German origin, recorded by the Brothers Grimm and published in 1812. Hansel and Gretel are a young brother and sister threatened by a cannibalistic hag living deep in the forest in a house constructed of cake and confectionery. The two children...
and Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, also known as Little Red Cap, is a French fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings....
. In Southern Germany and Austria, Kasper is known as Kasperle or Kasperl (the diminutive form of Kasper).
Kasper and his friends come alive for children as soon as the play starts. When watching a skit, the children learn important values in a safe and healthy way. In this world of make-believe, children are free to express their thoughts and creativity. While role-playing, children relive their daily experiences learning to understand the feelings of others, freeing themselves from fears and worries. Adults, whether playing along or just watching, can gain valuable insight into children’s motivations and feelings. At the same time, children are also developing their motor and verbal skills.
Children spontaneously make up stories as puppet play progresses. They quickly begin to create their own situations and dialog. The following pages provide several interesting stories and descriptions of the major characters. You will realize that puppet play isn’t just about fairy tales. Modern topics and themes are easily expressed and developed.
Kasper is our unbeatable hero. He laughs and jokes, even in the face of danger. Kasper is always ready for an adventure with his friends. He uses puns, wordplay, and wit and to win the day. Since Kasper is childlike himself, children identify closely with him. In the skits, children accompany Kasper on his adventures, and together they bravely face danger.
Gretel is Kasper’s good friend. She is clever, practical, and helpful. She often helps Kasper by outsmarting the villains. With her many positive traits, Gretel is a good female role model.
Seppel is Kasper’s other good friend. He is easygoing, occasionally clever, and strong. He never passes up a good meal. He often warns Kasper about going on risky adventures and scares easily
The Policeman represents authority and society’s laws. He is a good friend and helps to set things right. The Policeman is often asked for advice. Though he may overlook Kasper’s pranks, he will give Kasper a stern look or warning reinforcing the value of rules in society.
The Robber is rotten, mean, filthy, a liar, and lazy to boot! He is very strong, but luckily he isn’t very bright. Hence, he is always caught and punished.
Besides being evil, stubborn, easily annoyed, and crafty, the Witch can cast spells and often teams up other villains. She is the role children frequently choose to act out aggression or unexpressed conflict.
The Wizard is powerful, wise, and helpful. He only uses his powers for good. However, he tends to take himself too seriously, and when Kasper is having fun at his expense, he will often ask, “Don’t you know who I am?” The Wizard’s outrageous entrances are often a great source of laughter.
The Crocodile has a large snapping mouth filled with sharp teeth. He is a mindless eating machine.
Grandma is both wise and an expert on manners. She is the calm point in any Kasper play. Grandma often rewards Kasper and Seppel with sausages after their adventures. By allowing her grandchildren their adventures without being too strict, Grandma leads the children down the path to individual identity.
The King is powerful and just in his decisions. He rewards the characters for their bravery. It is often only with Kasper’s help that the King can remove danger from his realm. The royal family often represents the child’s own family. These characters are also used to imitate adult relationships such as courtship and marriage.
Other modern Kaspars
Bread and Puppet TheaterBread and Puppet Theater
The Bread and Puppet Theater is a politically radical puppet theater, active since the 1960s, currently based in Glover, Vermont...
an American based company under the direction of Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
n-born Peter Schumann
Peter Schumann
Peter Schumann is the founder and director of the Bread & Puppet Theater. Born in Silesia, he was a sculptor and dancer in Germany before moving to the United States in 1961. In 1963 he founded Bread & Puppet in New York City, and in 1970 moved to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, eventually...
often presents short skits by the fictitious "Rotten Idea Theater Company" which features multiple Kaspars. The Kaspars are generally violent, dishonest tricksters, and play out some form of political or social satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
while beating each other with clubs.
Kasper’s cousins
Punch was introduced in Great Britain in the seventeenth century by an Italian performer named Pietro Gimonde. The original Pulcinella was a marionetteMarionette
A marionette is a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings depending on regional variations. A marionette's puppeteer is called a manipulator. Marionettes are operated with the puppeteer hidden or revealed to an audience by using a vertical or horizontal control bar in different forms...
. Over time, his name was anglicized to "Punch," and he became a hand puppet
Hand puppet
A hand puppet is a type of puppet that is controlled by the leg or face that occupies the interior of the puppet. Glove puppets are a variation of hand puppets...
. "Pleased as punch" and "beat the devil" probably originated from Punch and Judy
Punch and Judy
Punch and Judy is a traditional, popular puppet show featuring the characters of Mr. Punch and his wife, Judy. The performance consists of a sequence of short scenes, each depicting an interaction between two characters, most typically the anarchic Punch and one other character...
puppet theater.
Whereas the Max Jacob-inspired Kaspar has abandoned much of the bawdiness of 17th century street performance, Punch embraces it. The traditional Kasper and modern Punch use a slapstick to beat the crocodile, police, and even the Devil. "Slapstick" originates from the Commedia Dell'arte baton made of wooden slats fastened together like a castanet. On impact, the slapstick makes a loud slapping sound. The term has become synonymous with physical comedy.
Punch is aggravated by his whining child, nagging wife (Judy), and ineffective bureaucracy. This eventually leads to Punch hitting other characters with his slapstick, but it is a very ritualized form of violence. Traditional shows ended with Punch defeating the ultimate evil and proclaiming "Huzzah, Huzzah, I've killed the Devil!" In modern endings, Punch is punished by being swallowed by the crocodile, scared into repentance by a ghost, or arrested by the police.
Punch performances also differ from Kasper by use of a "swazzle." The swazzle is used to give Punch a high pitched, squeaky sound. Punch performances are usually put on by "professors". In some cases, Punch may be unintelligible, and the "professor" must act as an interpreter.
During the 19th Century, Punch performances could be easily found on the streets of England. Today, they are much less common. As a continuing English tradition, Punch performances are more likely to be found on the beach during holidays.
Forms of Pulcinella can be found throughout Europe and even Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The characters have different names in various countries. In France, he is known as Pulchinelle (Guignol
Guignol
Guignol is the main character in a French puppet show which has come to bear his name.Although often thought of as children's entertainment, Guignol's sharp wit and linguistic verve have always been appreciated by adults as well, as shown by the motto of a prominent Lyon troupe: "Guignol amuses...
, a figure developed in the 19th century around Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
, shares many features with Pulchinelle but cannot be said to derive directly from Pulchinelle). In the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, he is Jan Klaassen, a character whose personality varies greatly from region to region -- sometimes sweet, sometimes a trickster. Turkey's Karagoz and the Greek Karaghiozis descend from a common Ottoman shadow puppet tradition; the origin of these traditions and the relationship, if any, to the Pulchinella "family" is unknown. Likewise, the Javanese shadow puppet figure of Petruk, shares characteristics with these European figures -- some Javanese identify Petruk as a European -- and it is tempting but impossible to confirm a historical relationship.
Stravinsky made the Russian Petrushka
Petrushka
Petrouchka or Petrushka is a ballet with music by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, composed in 1910–11 and revised in 1947....
famous with his ballet of the same name. This story involves three puppets (Petrushka, the Ballerina, and the Moor) that come to life. Eventually, Petrushka is murdered by the Moor out of jealousy for the Ballerina. In the final scene, it's discovered that Petrushka was just stuffed with hay all along.
External links
- http://www.kasperpuppets.com
- http://www.punchandjudy.com/Kasper.htm
- http://www.kersa.de