Suitable ages 5 – 10
The Land Where One Never Dies by Italo Calvino
This Italian folktale tells the story of a young man’s determination to achieve victory over death! The performance of it here, embeds this tale within an autobiographical story, and uses authentic hand-crafted marionette puppets in a traditional setting, accompanied by live accordion playing!
The folktale’s charming metaphors and rustic bawdy characters offer an opportunity for adults and children alike to explore the theme – the significance of death in life, in way that is intriguing and delightful, imaginative and contemplative. It is seen to be relevant to these times in particular!
Content warning: Some very young children (preschool and younger) may be frightened by the puppets and the theme of death.
Produced by Every Old Sock Meets an Old Shoe
Directed by Nicole Ostini & Lynn Preston
Narrated by Bianca Sirianni
Puppeteers Lynn Preston & Kasia Pudlo
Accordion Dave Evans
Songs by Mikelangelo & The Black Sea Gentlemen & Leonard Cohen
Puppets created by The Squeaking Tribe Marionettes
Folktale transcribed by Italo Calvino
Autobiographical text by Lynn Preston
Images by Kasia Pudlo & Pat Higgins
‘The Land Where One Never Dies’ by Italo Calvino. Copyright c 2002, The Estate of Italo Calvino, used by permission of The Wylie Agency (UK) Limited.
