Duke Oldrich & Washerwoman Bozena, the True Story: A Historical Comedye in Three Acts NYC Reviews and Tickets

58%

(11 Reviews)

Positive

27%

Mixed

46%

Negative

27%

Members say

Confusing, Disappointing, Slow, Quirky, Great singing

About the Show

The Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre presents a non-traditional staging of a 374 year-old marionette play based on the story of love at first sight of the 11th century Duke Oldrich.

Duke Oldrich braved stout opposition for friend and foe alike to marry the exquisitely fair washerwoman Bozena, but forgot to mention some details of his own marital status to his beloved. The two legendary lovers are truthfully represented by fine hand-carved marionettes and life-like mechanicals fashioned expertly two centuries ago from the choicest linden wood; their manipulators in period costumes are artfully composed in flesh and blood.

Member Reviews (11)

Confusing, Disappointing, Great singing, Quirky

See it if you want exposure to Czech puppetry with some interesting puppets and for the musician who plays various instruments and sings very well.

Don't see it if you want an easy to understand story: it was very confusing with some of it hard to hear and some accents difficult in a cavernous space.

Lovely music, Handsome puppets, Confusing script

See it if you are interested enough in the tradition of Czechoslovak puppetry to overlook the fact that the play being presented is poor.

Don't see it if a few lovely musical interludes and 7 handsome puppets are not enough to sustain you through 95 minutes of unengaging script. Read more

Beautiful music / excellent singer-musician, Confusing & dizzying story, Brave energetic (albeit clumsy) performances, Strong ensemble / complete commitment, Fascinating & enchanting marionettes

See it if you'd enjoy a slice of this traditional & very entertaining art form (I only knew European marionettes from the streets of Spain & Italy).

Don't see it if you want to see a polished presentation, & expect to understand a clear & concise story (especially after a few weeks of performances). Read more

Confusing, Quirky, Slow

See it if you love marionettes, you love Czech fairytales, you know the story

Don't see it if you were expecting maybe the Salzburg marionettes

Dated, Disappointing, Excruciating

See it if The marionettes are lovely. If that's enough, it's worth seeing. If you need literally anything else, it isn't.

Don't see it if The plot was confusing, the sound was bad, the script was muddled. It was a comedy but unfunny. Everyone was doing their best but it's bad.

Disappointing, Enchanting, Great singing, Quirky, Slow

See it if You love marionettes & fantastic music...& if the production tightens up. Normally, I adore this company's productions.

Don't see it if You don't like puppets & have no patience to watch a very "loose" production. They need a bit more rehearsal & script editing...

Disappointing, Confusing, Quirky, Slow

See it if You know someone w/the company & want to support their efforts. Actors worked hard, lots of energy/enthusiasm. Music & marionettes were good

Don't see it if You want a clear story acted out by marionettes. Actors alongside puppets very distracting, puppets seemed secondary. Boring& confusing

Great singing, Slow, Confusing

See it if You love puppets, and small scale theater in non traditional places. The puppets were real works of art, and the singer was wonderful.

Don't see it if The story and dialogue was hard to follow, and it went on much too long.

Trailer

Creative team