The Trial or The Woeful Story of Joseph K.

In this timeless musical-puppet performance, the audience member becomes Josef K. and finds themselves at the centre of a merciless trial. The dark humour of hand puppets, the poetry of object theatre and the improvisation of cabaret reveal the hopelessness of the social system and the intimate world of the individual. Gentle puppet scenes are interrupted by rhythmic effects and bursts of live concert energy.

“It is almost unbelievable how masterfully Arh and Bezeljak carry the performance through; how effortlessly they move through so many roles, genres and atmospheres in less than an hour, and how many meanings they suggest. Suggest, and nothing more. That is why the performance opens up an entire horizon on which Franz Kafka’s world simultaneously begins and ends.” — Polona Balantič for Zvon.

Founded in 1974, Lutkovno gledališče Maribor combines artistic innovation and international collaboration in its productions for children and adults. It organizes the Biennial of Puppetry Artists of Slovenia and the Summer Puppet Pier, and since 2022 has also been responsible for the Museum of Puppetry in Maribor.