Symbolon (Oct 2021)
A Vitéz László bábfigura keletkezéstörténete: Kasperl figurájának megjelenése és a külföldi vándormutatványok recepciója
Abstract
The Origins of the Vitéz László Puppet Figure. The Appearance of Kasperl, and the Reception of Travelling Shows from Abroad The play style of the members of the Korngut-Kemény puppeteering family, which was inherited through generations from father to son, encompasses the traditions of Hungarian fair puppetry, and is an unquestionable point of reference for modern-day Vitéz László shows. The creation of the figure cannot be tied to the family, the show passed through lots of evolutionary stages; not only the character, but the playstyle as well bear the marks of the duality of the changes in societal norms and the clinging to traditions. The surviving records of puppetry history testify to the fact that most probably the first comic puppet figures to be seen in Hungary were Kasperl and Bajazzo, who were probably the models for the characters of Paprika Jancsi and Vitéz László. According to Hedvig Belitska-Scholtz (Belitska-Scholtz, 1974, 56), the figures of Kasperl and Bajazzo were models in the creation of the Hungarian folk puppet figures, while according to Géza Balogh (Balogh, 2010, 44) the character of Vitéz László is a compilation of Hanswurst and Kasperl, with the addendum that the personality of the character evolved through time and numerous plays. This study addresses the appearance of the Kasperl figure, the reception of foreign travelling shows, and the travelling period of the Hincz family.
