Pichefkes – Knick Knack Nook

If these words could sing, dance and do handsprings, they might do justice to Pichefkes (literally – knick knacks), a one person show performed and directed by Nitzan Sitzer, written by Noga Algom and Nitzan Sitzer, with original music by Adi Cohen. Pichefkes is a small store of knick knacks in the middle of the shuk (market), whose future is threatened by a cell phone wielding business man who wants to replace it with a large, expensive shopping center. The play premiered at the Theatronetto Festival in April, and made a welcome return this summer in the celebration of children’s theatre at the Suzanne Dellal Centre: Magical Myths – Kesem Shel Agada 2010.

Performances for children often miss the mark by pandering to commercial appeal – investing in big names, loud noises and expensive costumes, or else are transparently therapeutic, didactic and deadly dull – the worst plays somehow manage to combine all of the above. The Kesem Shel Agada festival has been a magical realm of excellent children’s theatre for the past two decades, and this year was no exception.

Pichifkes is FUN!

Nitzan Sitzer is an extravagantly talented performer with comic brilliance, acrobatic charm and a warm rapport with the audience. If he were the Pied Piper, he wouldn’t even need a musical instrument, children young and old alike would happily follow him anywhere.

Entering the theatre, a large wooden cupboard occupies the center of the stage – its doors closed. The storekeeper arrives with a song, opening the doors to a world of wonder filled to the brim: a toy train, a framed picture of an embroidered bird, used clothes, a clock on the wall, antique telephone and Russian doll. Inside the store is a colorful, exuberant world where nothing is taken for granted, and anything is possible. A feather is not just any feather – it used to belong to Beethoven! Sitzer literally tickles the audience with impish glee to the sounds of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. An old-fashioned pink velvet dress, a worn rug, a cracked clay jar – the play invites us to look at them with eyes full of wonder and possibility.

Text, songs, design and performance all come together to create a funny, energetic, witty and inspiring theatrical experience. My only quibble is with the program notes stating that the play is intended for ages 4 – 9, it really should read: ages 4 – 90+.

Image credit: Shalev Man

AYELET DEKEL