Paul Mesner Puppets

We are very proud to present Paul Mesner who brings his own personal touch to this production of Pulcinella, an Italian puppet tradition over three centuries old. Pulcinella is part Saturday morning cartoon, Three Stooges, the slapstick and physical comedy or WWF with a lot of hand puppet ballet. Pulcinella is the hero of this story, however he is all but pure innocence. After dancing with his girlfriend Teresina, his antics, joy for life and noise making get him into trouble with his neighbor, who consequently suffers from Pulcinella’s stick. The neighbor suffers so much that he falls into a coffin. Later when Pulcinella falls asleep Death comes to claim his property. Pulcinella awakes, and while unable to defeat Death, escapes from his clutches. Soon the police arrive to find what has happened and Pulcinella insists the man is asleep. Failing to elude the law, Pulcinella finds himself in prison awaiting the hangman. While in prison a priest comes to hear Pulcinella’s confession and leaves without insuring his absolution after hearing Pulcinella’s sins.

When the hangman finally arrives to ready Pulcinella for his death, Pulcinella tricks Death again with his antics and survives to dance with his girlfriend, Teresina.

Paul Mesner uses hand puppets built in the Neapolitan style, the traditional method taught to him by Bruno Leone, a pulcinella master from Naples, Italy.