Buchty a loutky (Cakes and Puppets) is an alternative puppet theatre troupe which produces and performs plays for both children and adults.
Buchty a loutky was founded in a students’ hall of residence in Cheb, Western Bohemia, in 1991 by fresh graduates of DAMU’s puppetry department. Since then the troupe has written and performed 55 productions, including several animated films for both children and adults, and many one-off projects in the areas of alternative theatre, music and film, often combining all these genres.
At present Buchty a loutky regularly perform at the Švandovo Theatre Studio in the Smichov district of Prague, where they also have a small base. For much of the time the troupe is on tour and gives around 250 performance a year all around the Czech Republic and also abroad.
With their innovative approach to their productions, Buchty a loutky create a unique theatrical poetry. The group interpret classical plays and infuse their own productions with a certain detachment and unique humour. They place an emphasis on creative aspects with live soundtracks / combining old and new marionettes / bric-a-brac props / toys and modern technology.
Buchty a loutky are Marek, Vítek, Zuzka, Radek, Lukáš, Kateřina and 2 D
Buchty a loutky in the press
“…. Who exactly are these people with traditional and unconventional puppets and marionettes? They’re crazy. There’s no doubt they’re utterly crazy, but in an unequivocally positive way…. ”
“…..Children giggle and after the performance chase each other around the theatre with stage props, then they help clear them away, play on a xylophone and chat with the actors. Basically a party and it’s all part of the experience…..”
“Buchty a loutky are not just playful cynics. They are creative DIYers, professionals who like posing as amateurs.That their productions have a certain mystery and their work dimensions you won’t find in other theatre groups is because they are not just a troupe, they are a community who stick close together.”
“Buchty a loutky are among the troupes at whose performances for children even the most stern of parents lose their mask of authority. On the other hand, their productions for adults are immensely entertaining for teenagers, despite the fact they cannot quite find their bearings in the maelstrom of citations, ingenious references and gags.”
