KARACHI: There’s a Kenny Rogers’ song that talks about what happens when you put your heart into something. The chorus of the track goes:

When you put your heart in it

It can take you anywhere

Who’s to say that we can’t make it

It’s the same dream that we share

When you put your heart in it

It can take you anywhere.

This was the idea espoused by a nice little puppet show titled Put Your Heart into It presented by an Italian group Nina Theatre and directed by Pamela Mastrorosa on Thursday afternoon as part of the World Culture Festival organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan.

Although it was meant primarily for children, the story, the concept and the heartwarming way with which the puppets were handled made it an effort that’s not confined to be seen by certain age group alone. It’s for anyone and everyone.

The performance is categorised as a cabaret of puppetry show. This implies a host of interesting, cute sequences. It is also described by its makers as a presentation that leads its “spectator’s heart to smiling, dreaming, getting excited reflecting and wondering in front of the simplicity of simple things”.

Simplicity is at the heart of the whole exercise.

The show begins when the puppeteer appears on stage and engages with the audience, which largely constitutes of school children, with funny gestures. Once she establishes contact, she brings out her hand puppets that have googly eyes. First, they are two birds, romantically involved, moving to the melody of love songs.

The second bit is to do with nature, with plants and the importance of watering them. The idea is easily caught by the audience. This meant that entertainment and education were nicely blended.

Interaction with the audience takes another step when the puppeteer (Pamela) invites a young boy on stage after initiating an act in which she’s trying to put a face on a body. It was, arguably, the most interesting bit of the show. (The boy who volunteered on Thursday did a good job.)

She also invites a young girl on stage whose shyness endears her to the receptive audience.

If one could sum up the show, Put Your Heart into It aims to put a smile on faces. The faces may be young or not-to-young. And the theme can be summarised just like one of the songs that ran in the background, Que sera sera … whatever will be, will be.

Put Your Heart into It will also be staged on Friday at 8pm.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2024