M. Ďuríčková – P. Palik: Guľko Bombuľko

The theme of the play *Guľko Bombuľko* is friendship and social inclusion as an expression of human nature, which is further emphasized in the fairy tale by the main character’s altruism. It is precisely because of his kind heart that the animals in Guľko Bombuľko’s yard quickly take a liking to him. He gives each of them a piece of his warm wool.

In 2019, we will commemorate what would have been the 100th birthday of the prominent Slovak author of children’s and young adult literature, Mária Ďuríčková. This milestone anniversary was one of the reasons that inspired the artistic director of the Puppet Theater in Košice to adapt the author’s fairy tale *O Guľkovi Bombuľkovi*. This charming fairy tale was written in 1962, and children still love it today. It is intended specifically for the youngest readers—and, in our case, the youngest audience members. The main character in the production is truly unusual: a curious ball of yarn that one day falls out of Grandma’s basket and rolls into the yard. There, the friendly ball of yarn gets to know all the yard’s inhabitants. Although the theme is rooted in material close to a child’s imagination, screenwriter Peter Palik replaced the narrator’s voice in Ďuríček’s prose with two actors. Guľko Bombuľko’s best friend turns out to be Pipka the little hen. But not everyone in the yard is a truly sincere friend. For example, the cunning cat Líza has her sights set on all of his wool and nearly tears him to pieces in the process. Guľko Bombuľko and the animals experience many fun and adventurous escapades. As is typical of Mária Ďuríčková’s work, the main character’s story ends happily in our production as well.

The production is suitable for children ages 3 and up.

Showtime: 2:30 PM / 4:30 PM

Venue: Puppet Theater / Jorik Stage