Johannes Dokchtor Faust, a Petrifying Puppet Comedye

See it if You like puppetry as an art form or are interested in learning about it...

Don't see it if You like modern, flashy displays...

See it if you are interested in puppets or in versions of the Faust(us) story.

Don't see it if you think puppets are for kids.

Also Anyone with an interest in puppetry, theater history or the Faust legend will find a lot to like in “Johannes Dokchtor Faust,” a telling of the Faust(us) story that is adapted from the Old Bohemian & brought to “life” by beautiful old Czech puppets. Lots of the humor here is clownish slapstick—but then there’s a lot of knockabout in Kit Marlowe’s classic version for the English Renaissance stage. Because there isn’t a lot more than the clowning in this version, the material after a while wears a little thin. But the puppets are knockouts, Faust in his plush robes, the many-jointed fool who can move well beyond human capacity & a classically devilish Mephistopheles replicated in 4 different sizes. Passages in which the puppets fly are especially beautiful. And the troupe is inventive. For a scene in the forest the back curtain is pulled open so the camouflaged legs of the puppeteers can double as trees. Smarts like that keep this puppet play (for the most part) a delight.... Read more Read less

See it if You like puppets and accordion music. Cleverly staged.

Don't see it if You need a clear, linear plot. This generally follows the Faust storyline, but regularly veers off to modern jokes and irrelevant scenes.

Also Make sure you have a clear view the stage - I couldn't see half of the show.... Read more Read less

See it if interested in a humorous, Punch & Judy-like take on Dr. Faustus. Beautifully crafted antique marionettes, accordion music.

Don't see it if hoping for impressively life-like movement/emotion or...I don’t know...better acting from the puppets? There’s a fair bit of floating.

Also There’s also a lot of emphasis on a character called Pimprle. He’s like a Harlequin/Hanswurst figure giving a comedic running commentary on related and unrelated things. I recommend cutting the pumpernickel joke. This isn’t “petrifying” or even slightly creepy. But in some ways it’s really transporting—with the music and aesthetic consistency of the puppets, costumes, and stage/set.... Read more Read less

See it if You don’t mind a slow moving and overly long production with some pretty funny moments

Don't see it if You can’t take a slow-moving production with long pauses between jokes

See it if you enjoy puppetry, the story of Dr. Faust, and tongue-in-cheek humor.

Don't see it if you do not think puppetry is an appropriate way to tell classic stories, you might get a little confused if you don't know the story well.

See it if you love marionettes.

Don't see it if comfortable seats matter to you.

Also if this had been 30 minutes in total, it would’ve been perfect.

See it if love puppets and would enjoy a no frills production in a basement venue.

Don't see it if you find puppets creepy or are bothered by needless current political references voiced throughout the show that don't belong in the story.

See it if You're a hardcore puppet person.I have to confess, I'm not into puppets but I thought these would be special. They weren't particularly.

Don't see it if You want the Faust story.A lot of slapstick that grew old pretty fast.I think I had a nightmare about the really clownish puppet. Too long!

See it if You like marionettes more than story. You like seeing plays by people who're clearly having a lot more fun than the audience.

Don't see it if It's full of "topical" jokes that don't land and a storyline that's sort of nonsensical. Avoid unless you LOVE seeing puppets in action.

See it if you like puppetry, the classic tale of Faust, enjoy historical theater artifacts, and old styles of presentation.

Don't see it if you mind bad sound and dialogue that is difficult to understand. Jokes that don't land (maybe sound) which is essential for puppets.

See it if you like charming marionettes,a talented accordion player, narrator marionette had a shrill voice that was impossible to understand.

Don't see it if you want to be able to breath in the theater. The venue is a dank, musty basement.

Also An ingenios ploy is to use the puppeteer's legs to look like trees.

See it if You like fun puppetry

Don't see it if You’re expecting something revolutionary.

Also While the cast was very enthusiastic, there are many problems. First and foremost was the fact that the dialogue was virtually impossible to comprehend
which made the 90 minutes seem much longer. Also the theatre is in the basement which made it very uncomfortable The kids seemed to enjoy the puppets but also seemed bored. Can’t recommend it.... Read more Read less