Teatro Hugo & Ines: Short Stories at HERE Arts

With the main props being themselves, Hugo Suarez and Ines Pasic create a puppet universe.  Not seen in New York since 1998, the Peru-based puppeteers/mimes are performing their signature piece Short Stories at HERE Arts. Their appearance at the Dorothy B Williams Theater is fitting since Basil Twist, master puppeteer and director of HERE’s Dream Music Puppetry program, studied with the duo.    

Hugo and Ines perform their Short Stories separately and together.  They fasten ping-pong balls, scarves, clothing, and red noses onto a knee, hand, or other body parts.  Then, by adding minute movement, the puppets come to life.  The
performers’ dexterity and flexibility create the illusion of Claymation – only Hugo and Ines are better and more fun because this is live theater. 

The unconnected Stories have only one theme: fun.  A shy hand puppet tries to run offstage.  Another does magic tricks.   Ines draws a mouth with shiny lipstick on her stomach for one trying to lose weight.  A longer vignette with Hugo and Ines working together seamlessly in a choreography of overlapping hands follow a puppet from birth to old age.  

Description doesn’t do Teatro Hugo & Ines justice.  They are visual artists.  It’s all in the fingers…legs…feet and mouths.    

Patricia Contino
Photos: Hugo and Ines

For further information on Hugo and Ines: Short Stories and future events visit here. 

Watch a video of Hugo and Ines in action here: