La Manékine is a gripping story where light intersects with darkness, and joy meets despair. Blending puppetry, storytelling, and a live one-man orchestra, La Pendue brings to life a dark fairy tale filled with emotion and meaning. From the moment the lights dimmed in The Pit at the Barbican, this production transported me into a world of beauty, pain, and transformation.
The tale, based on the Brothers Grimm’s The Girl Without Hands, begins with a poor miller making a devastating decision. He strikes a deal with the devil, unknowingly offering his daughter in exchange for wealth. What follows is a story of betrayal, survival, and redemption, lingering long after the final curtain falls.
At the heart of it all is the extraordinary Estelle Charlier, who moves between the roles of master puppeteer and storyteller with grace and precision. Her puppetry is not merely technical; it is alive. Each gesture feels deliberate, each movement imbued with emotion, as if the puppets themselves breathe. Alongside her, Martin Kaspar Orkestar provides the music; a mix of poignant melodies and sudden comedic translations from French to English for the audience’s benefit. The balance between humour and tragedy creates an experience that is both deeply moving and accessible.
Performed entirely in French with English subtitles, the production preserves the integrity of the original text. It avoids the ‘mask’ of translation, letting the audience connect more deeply with the rawness of the story. It was a bold decision, but the right one, preserving the lyrical beauty of the language and allowing the subtitles to guide those unfamiliar with French.
The visual elements of La Manékine were nothing short of stunning. Everything, from the staging to the costumes, was carefully considered. Lighting played a pivotal role, creating a dynamic interplay of shadows and colours. One moment, in particular, stood out: La Manékine, betrayed by the stupidity of her elders and thrust into a world of suffering, stands bathed in red light, holding her hand as though it contains her power. It was a moment without words, yet somehow, it felt like the most communicative scene of the show. The way the light and shadows moved across her face and the stage felt so intimate; as if, for a fleeting second, we were allowed into her inner world.
The narrative, though rooted in a classic fairy tale, carries a universal wisdom that resonates deeply. It felt timeless, like the fairy tales children use to understand the world’s complexity. At its core, it speaks of resilience, of finding hope in the face of loss. It reminds us what it means to leave a house behind, to step into a palace filled with jewels, and to discover, in the end, that we no longer need them. The final message—a world where “ici tout le monde peut vivre librement”, is one of freedom and healing, a place where kindness thrives.
Every element of the production contributed to its success, from the haunting music to the costumes designed with care by Estelle Charlier and the TMG Atelier. The sound and lighting, managed by Anthony Lopez and Andi Luchsinger, brought the stage to life, shifting seamlessly between moments of joy and sorrow. There was even a post-show talk for same-day ticket holders, with British Sign Language interpretation, opening a dialogue about this remarkable piece.
It is rare to see a performance that blends so many art forms with such cohesion and purpose. La Manékine is a show where puppetry, music, and storytelling are woven together to create something truly magical. A performance not without darkness but filled with humanity, hope, and light.
Mime Theatre
Until: 18 January 2025
Running time: 65 minutes (no interval)
Contributors: Estelle Charlier (Concept, Puppets, Artistic Direction), Martin Kaspar Orkestar (Music), Romuald Collinet (Stage Direction), Romaric Sangars (Texts), Anthony Lopez (Lighting), and others.