THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICES
EXHIBITION OF THE 70-YEAR-OLD ASTRA PUPPET ENSEMBLE AND THE 30-YEAR-OLD MASZK PUPPET THEATER
”Astra inclinant sed non cogunt.” – ”The stars influence but do not demand.”
According to this quote from Saint Thomas Aquinas, the position of the stars at the moment of our birth determines the basic traits of our personality, but our fate and individuality are shaped by self-knowledge and free will.
The entire operation of the Astra Puppet Ensemble, which carries the stars in its name, exemplifies this. Their piece that best reflects their ars poetica is the marionette adaptation of Dukas’s musical work, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This performance was created when, deprived of their venue and puppets, they found it more important than ever to demonstrate how good can triumph over evil. In the story, the apprentice sorcerer, under the influence of his worse self, creates a destructive monster that threatens to destroy even its creator itself. This hostile force cannot be destroyed by any magic; only the better self within the apprentice can overcome it.
The play of the Astra Puppet Ensemble provided faith, hope, and encouraged action. Their master, László Vízvári, consistently set an example with his dedication, professional knowledge, and work ethic; the love for puppetry and the strength of belonging to a community united them as a team – master and apprentice, designer and actor. The members of the ensemble themselves became the sorcerer’s apprentices who create with their “better selves” and imagination: they bring the inanimate to life with professional skill and humility.
As students of László Vízvári, the artists of the Maszk Puppet Theater continue to work in his spirit in our days. Zsolt Havas and Edina Havas-Krain seek new themes and modes of expression, preserving the memory and legacy of their predecessors. Their work exemplifies that the transmission of professional knowledge can also be a source of inspiration: a good student does not copy or reproduce but creates a new workshop based on diverse ideas.
The message of Astra remains eternal: “Sic itur ad astra” – “Thus one journeys to the stars.” Our exhibition pays tribute to the work of László Vízvári, the Astra Puppet Ensemble, and the Maszk Puppet and Youth Theater.
THERE WAS A PIPE BURST IN THE WORKSHOP IN APRIL. IF YOU HAD BEEN THERE, WHICH 5 ITEMS WOULD YOU HAVE SAVED FIRST?
“PUPPETRY IS BASED ON THE SYMBOLS AND EMBLEMS THAT LIVE WITHIN PEOPLE. THIS CAN SPARK THE VIEWERS’ IMAGINATION, LEADING THEM TO TRUTH AND LOVE.” (LÁSZLÓ VÍZVÁRI)
1919 - On September 17, László Vízvári is born in Szeged.
1938 - He graduates from the Dugonics András Piarist High School in Szeged.
- On August 27, joins the Piarist Order.
1939-1945: World War II
1940 - From 1940 to 1945, he studies theology at the Piarist College.
1941 - An article by puppet designer Sándor A. Tóth titled “Let’s Build a Puppet Theatre!” is published in the magazine “Hungarian Scout,” which has a stimulating effect on scout puppetry.
1943 - Takes solemn vows on September 12.
1944 - On October 15, he is ordained as a priest.
- During the Siege of Budapest in the winter of 1944/1945, he performs Red Cross service at the New St. John Hospital in Buda.
1945 - Earns a degree in biology and geography from Pázmány Péter University.
- Begins teaching at the Piarist High School named after St. Joseph Calasanz in Debrecen, where he builds a puppet theatre with his scouts of the Dragon patrol.
1947 - They participate with the Dragon scout patrol in the Scout World Jamboree in Moisson, France, where they also perform “János Vitéz” (“John the Valiant”) in French.
1948 - After the nationalization of the Piarist High School in Debrecen, he is transferred to Endrőd as a chaplain, where he continues puppetry with local altar servers.
1950 - According to the agreement between the state and the Catholic Church, eight high schools can reopen, two of which (in Budapest and Kecskemét) are operated by the Piarist Order.
1951 - At the invitation of Provincial Superior Sándor Sík, he continues his teaching activities at thePiarist High School in Budapest.
1953 - The building of the Piarist High School on Váci Street is handed over to Eötvös Loránd University, and the Piarists are relocated to Mikszáth Kálmán Square.
“WE NAMED OUR ENSEMBLE AURORA. WE WEREN’T THINKING OF THE CRUISER, BUT RATHER THAT WE INTENDED THIS ENDEAVOUR TO BE THE DAWN ON THE HORIZON OF HUNGARIAN PUPPETRY.” (LÁSZLÓ VÍZVÁRI)
1954 - ETUDES; THE MIRACULOUS OLD BRUSH
- Founding of the Aurora Puppet Ensemble. The founding members are László Vízvári, Iván Koós, and Beatrix Balogh. The troupe, composed of students, performs in the building of the Piarist High School, the Artists’ Club, and the Kossuth Club.
- Guest performance by Josef Skupa’s Spejbl and Hurvinek marionette ensemble in Budapest. Inspired by their performances, László Vízvári, Iván Koós, and Beatrix Balogh decide to create a marionette theatre.
1955 - THE CAPTIVE SOLDIER
1956 - THE WOODEN PRINCE
1957 - WE DON’T DRINK FROM THE GLASS; HUMAN STORY
- Guest performance by the Chinese Shadow and Puppet Theatre in Budapest.
- Josef Skupa’s Spejbl and Hurvinek marionette ensemble visits the Aurora Puppet Ensemble.
1958 - THE WOODEN PRINCE; PHILEMON AND BAUCIS; THE PARROT’S TALES
- They are given the opportunity to perform in the building of the National Salon, but the building is demolished in 1959.
- The puppets from the Philemon and Baucis performance are exhibited at the 1st International Puppet Festival in Bucharest.
1959 - THE CAPTIVE SOLDIER; THE FISHERMAN AND THE SILVER OF THE MOON
- The Council of Budapest 2nd district allocates the former workshop of puppeteer Béla Szokolay on Csalogány Street to the ensemble.
- Their performance of The Fisherman and the Silver of the Moon wins first prize at the 1st Budapest Puppet Festival.
- For the first time since 1945, a Hungarian puppet ensemble performs abroad. Henrik Kemény and the Aurora perform at the 8th Chrudim International Puppet Festival.
1960 - DON CRISTOBAL
- They receive a basement space on Török Pál Street, where they build a multifunctional puppet stage.
1961 - THREE TALES, THE CURSED MILL
- After Beatrix Balogh’s departure, the ensemble continues its work under the name ASTRA. Puppet designer and director Lajos Kós, a former Aurora member, takes over the leadership of the Bóbita Puppet Ensemble in Pécs.
1962 - DREAM CIRCUS
- Their theatre on Török Pál Street opens.
- They perform in Warsaw at the 8th UNIMA Congress.
1963 - Géza Blattner, a puppeteer visiting from Paris, is welcomed with an honorary performance by UNIMA (International Puppetry Association) at the Török Pál Street theatre.
1964 - CINDERELLA; LITTLE ONION
1965 - BLUE PETER; THE LITTLE ROOSTER’S DIAMOND HALF-PENNY
1966 - THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
- They are forced to leave their theatre on Török Pál Street. The loss of the venue is compounded by the fact that they can only take the puppets from their production, Little Onion.
- Their performance of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice wins a UNIMA diploma at the 2nd Pécs Puppet Days.
1967 - They find a permanent home at the Csili - Pesterzsébet Vasas Cultural Centre.
1968 - MUSICAL BOX, THE HEDGEHOG AND THE PEACHES; LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! HORSES; THE GREAT MOUNTAIN THIEF
- They finished second in the finals of the “Ki mit tud?” television talent show.
- Their performances are awarded second prize at the International Puppet Festival in Békéscsaba.
1969 - LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! SEAL; LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! PENGUIN
- They receive the title of Excellent Ensemble.
- They perform at the 18th Chrudim International Puppet Festival and the UNIMA Congress in Prague.
1970 - LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! LION; LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! DOG – DUCK; LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! DOLPHIN; CHILDREN’S GAMES
- Their first western trip is to Basel, where the local Puppet Theatre opens the 1970/71 theatre season with the Astra’s performance.
1971 - MAN ON THE MOON
- Filming begins for the TV movie Our Little Circus, directed by Márta Kende and cinematographed by Anna Czóbel.
- They perform Man on the Moon at the 2nd Pécs International Puppet Festival.
- They receive the title of Excellent Ensemble for the second time.
1972 - GIANT SQUIRREL; LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! HIPPO
- A slide series titled Puppet Making II, written and designed by Iván Koós and László Vízvári, is published in the Astra workshop.
- They represent Hungary at the UNIMA Congress and World Festival in Charleville-Mézières with the performances Let’s Play Puppet Circus! and Man on the Moon.
1973 - DON QUIXOTE
- The Institute of Public Education awards the Nívó Prize to Antónia Ősz Szabó for design and László Vízvári for direction.
- Their performance of Don Quixote wins a UNIMA diploma at the 3rd Pécs International Adult Puppet Festival.
1974 - ON NOAH’S ARK
- The first Budapest Puppet Majális is organized by Csili, with Astra as the facilitator and regular performer until 2002.
1975 - SEVEN PRINCES
- They settle in the Pesterzsébeti Builders Cultural Home, operated by Csili.
- A slide series titled Puppet Making III, written and designed by Iván Koós and László Vízvári, is published in the Astra workshop.
1976 - THE FAIRY OF LOK ISLAND
- Filming begins for the puppet film Süsü, the Dragon, with Astra members among the puppeteers.
- From 1976 to 1978, they perform successfully at festivals in France, Belgium, and Bulgaria.
1979 - THE LITTLE ROOSTER’S DIAMOND HALF-PENNY; DANCE MACABRE
- The ensemble receives a UNIMA diploma and a commendation from the Institute of Public Education on the occasion of their 25th anniversary. They earn the title of Excellent Ensemble for the third time.
- The Budapest Puppeteers’ Methodological Centre begins operations under the leadership of László Vízvári, with active participation from Astra members.
- László Vízvári is awarded the UNIMA diploma and the Blattner Medal for his 40 years of work.
1980 - CUNNING PETER
- Due to hearing loss, László Vízvári retires from high school teaching.
- From 1980 to 1985, they perform at puppet festivals in France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
1982 - CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS
- László Vízvári conducts a shadow puppetry course in Paris.
- They receive a UNIMA diploma for their performance of Carnival of the Animals at the 6th Pécs International Adult Puppet Festival.
1983 - GRAB AND BITE
1984 - At the 14th UNIMA World Festival in Dresden, László Vízvári receives honorary UNIMA membership.
1985 - LET’S PLAY PUPPET CIRCUS! OSTRICH; MAGIC FLUTE
1986 -The ensemble receives the Nívó Prize from the Institute of Public Education.
1987 - VALIANT BÚBOS
- Due to the reorganization of the Csili Cultural Home, the group retreats to the Csalogány Street workshop.
- They perform their productions Magic Flute and Let’s Play Puppet Circus! in Austrian and French cities.
1989 - László Vízvári is awarded the Blattner Medal for the second time.
1990 - THE LITTLE MUKK
- They receive the title of Excellent Ensemble for the fourth time.
1994 - PARABLES
- They perform Parables at the Church Puppet Players’ Meeting.
- The Maszk Puppet Theatre is founded.
- An exhibition is organized at the Budapest Puppet Theatre for the ensemble’s 40th anniversary.
1996 - They perform Parables at the 17th UNIMA International Festival in Budapest.
1999 - A SON IS BORN
- Iván Koós receives the Kossuth Prize.
- On his 80th birthday, László Vízvári is honoured with a UNIMA diploma.
- Iván Koós dies on October 25.
2000 - From 2000 to 2001, they perform Parables at puppet festivals in Germany and Finland.
- They bring their play A Son is Born to local churches.
2003 - On January 22, László Vízvári receives the Csokonai Creative Award on Hungarian Culture Day.
- László Vízvári dies on September 20.
2004 - An exhibition is organized at the Csili Cultural Centre showcasing 50 years of Astra’s history.
- A chamber theatre room in the Csili Cultural Centre is named after László Vízvári.
2006 - They revive the performances The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Children’s Games.
2013 - A publication titled From Dawn to the Stars is published, documenting the history of the Aurora and Astra Puppet Ensembles.
2017 - An exhibition on the history of the Piarist order opens at the Budapest History Museum under the title To Faith and Knowledge. Among the notable Piarists is László Vízvári, and some puppets from Children’s Games are displayed.
2019 - Gala performance of Parables at the Rátkai Club on the occasion of László Vízvári’s 100th birthday.
2024 - On April 25, during the preparation of an exhibition, nearly 400 puppets, set pieces, stages, and other memorabilia must be evacuated within hours from the Csalogány Street workshop due to a pipe burst. The water-damaged items are dried in the halls of the National Theatre History Museum and Institute.
- On May 16, a temporary photo exhibition titled Among the Stars - Snapshots from the 70-year History of the Astra Puppet Ensemble opens in the garden of the Bajor Gizi Actor’s Museum.
OH DEAR, I GOT SO LOST! I SEE A FEW BIRDS IN HERE. LET’S ASK THEM, MAYBE THEY KNOW WHICH ONE COULD BE MY PERFORMANCE!
“Just like the little rooster in the tale, everyone has a half-penny diamond they’ve dug out for themselves. Then, day by day, they can make it grow, and if successful, can repeatedly turn it into gold. For us, puppetry is this half-penny.” (László Vízvári)