Sleeping Beauty

An evil fairy is not invited to be godmother to an infant princess. Still, the fairy is not to be discouraged and tries to attend the baptism at any cost. Will she succeed? Those who have read the story know that she will. Our production tells the story as a slapstick puppet comedy about the inevitability of fate – when you literally show it out the door, it’s sure to return through a window. Still, besides evil fairies, there are also good ones. The world abounds with princes seeking fortune and ready to set cursed princesses free.

Our production is based on classic fairy-tale themes, a traditional part of Drak Theatre’s dramaturgy and repertoire. Following the success of acclaimed productions like The White Doe and The Golden Fish, Drak has revived the classic story of Sleeping Beauty. The well-known tale of a beautiful cursed princess has seen many adaptations by various artists. Its thought-provoking metaphors and imagery seem perfectly suited for puppet theatre and its multifaceted nature extends its appeal beyond school-aged audiences.

About the company

Based in Hradec Králové, Drak theatre not only bases its work on the traditions of (East) Bohemian puppetry, but on the principle of imaginative and original devised productions for adults and children. Throughout its history, Drak has pioneered new methods and creative approaches, which have brought the theatre many awards, both nationally and internationally.

Awards

Director Jakub Vašíček won the Award for Best Direction at the 19th International Festival of Children’s Theatres – BANJA LUKA 2020. According to the jury, his “complex directing combines all the elements of the production, creatively leads the acting-puppets ensemble and captures the idea of the performance.” 

Jakub Vašíček and Tomáš Jarkovský were nominated for the Annual Award from the City of Hradec Králové, known as the Hradec Muse.

The puppet actor Jan Popela received an award for his portrayal of the evil fairy at the 54th International Puppet Theatre Festival – PIF in Zagreb, Croatia and an award for his performance at the 28th Children’s Theater Festival in Subotica, Serbia. The jury at the Subotica festival awarded the show the Grand Prix for the best production of the festival.