Pinocchio by the Lupi family: Puppeteers in a Turin stable theatre

This article aims to distinguish the different theatrical functions of marionette , burattini and pupi , which are often confused by those who are not experts on the subject. The author’s knowledge comes from direct experience in the 1970s with the Lupi family theatre, puppeteers in Turin. The article also explores how the former type of puppetry reflects the larger world of theatre. The discussion includes the craftsmanship of the marionettes , the handwritten scripts and the shifts in audience composition in response to performances and historical context. Historical and literary perspectives on the theatre are provided, with references to Italian writer Edmondo De Amicis (1846–1908). Finally, the discussion examines Pinocchio, one of the tales adapted by the Lupi company in the 1970s.