Keen streets

Co-founders Mirek Trejtnar and Leah Gaffen have overcome considerable obstacles - both literal and figurative - to bring their mix of live theater, puppetry, acrobatics, juggling and education geared toward the young to Kampa Island for the Eighth Annual Teatrotoč Summer Street Theatre Festival.  

This year's festival features more than 40 performances by 15 companies from around the world, all of whom share a dedication to two things: children and public performance. Beyond that, the approaches and traditions employed run the gamut from the traditional to the absurd, with everything from cabaret to giant penguins on display.

Since embarking in 2002 on the winding path that would eventually lead to the festival in its current form, the impassioned duo have held out hope that the maze of red tape and obscure and obsolete regulations would evolve sufficiently to make it easier to import international acts for a festival of public performance. Alas, this year was more of the same.

"It has not gotten easier," Trejtnar laments. "It's still a real mess, despite the fact that there have been protests."

This year's complications include the forced relocation of the theater 100 meters into the island to make room for an exhibition at the west end of Charles Bridge.

Such difficulties don't seem to affect the performers' enthusiasm, however. Even amid serious competition, the philanthropic venture would merit a look. But in July's barren theatrical landscape - with most theaters shuttered for the season - it is a must-see.

At the heart of the festival are the workshops put on by members of Puppets Without Borders, an organization consisting of DAMU (Academy of Performing Arts) grads and students dedicated to bringing people of different ages and nationalities together in pursuit of deeper and more penetrating means of communication. Under the group's tutelage, kids will get the chance to create puppets, masks and miniature sets as well as painting their own postcards and contributing to decorating Kampa with colored chalk.

Morning block

Beginning at 10:30 a.m. and running through 12:30 p.m., the early program offers a varied selection designed to engage, enlighten and entertain. "The idea," Trejtnar explains, "is for families to be able to come and spend an entire day. There's a new show every half-hour, and if they want, kids can opt for a workshop." Of particular interest are performances of Pinocchio, an original marionette show created during an international workshop in Prague, and Yodka, a Japanese fairy tale about an ugly but lovable bird performed by Naoko Taniguchi (Taniguchi will perform just once, July 13 at 12:30).

Afternoon block

As the day heats up, so do the offerings. After a midday break, watch out for Vítek the Clown as he juggles knives and other dangerous objects, and Juggler Erik, whose comedic routine, though performed in Czech, will be accessible to all. Also of note is Marie Keller's troupe of Czech, Finnish, Icelandic, Italian and American musicians and puppeteers who will premiere their new show, The Bug Cabaret. The performance schedule rotates throughout the festival, so be sure to check the Web site before attending.

Adults only

At 7 p.m. at New York University in Prague, an assemblage of local and visiting practitioners of public performance will gather to discuss the traditions, challenges and future horizons of street theater in the Czech Republic and the United States. The panel will feature performers Marie Keller and Dora Bouzková, as well as Trejtnar and other visiting performers featured in the festival.

James Walling can be reached at
jwalling@praguepost.com