Josef Skupa

Czechoslovak puppeteer

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July 13, 2026

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Josef Skupa was a prominent Czechoslovak puppeteer, known for his marionette theatre. He presented musical acts interspersed with witty, satirical sketches. His theatre featured two main characters: Hurvínek, a precocious boy, and Špejbl, his slow-witted father. Skupa's work was part of Czechoslovakia's rich puppet tradition. Jiři Trnka, a renowned filmmaker and artist, began his career by winning a design competition organized by Skupa in 1921 and worked with him for over a decade.12

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Jiří Trnka
…organized by the Czech puppeteer Josef Skupa in 1921. He worked with Skupa at his studios for more than 10 years, but his own efforts to start a puppet theatre failed. By 1935 he was designing for the stage and illustrating children’s books. Between 1938 and 1945 he primarily worked…
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…organized by the Czech puppeteer Josef Skupa in 1921. He worked with Skupa at his studios for more than 10 years, but his own efforts to start a puppet theatre failed. By 1935 he was designing for the stage and illustrating children’s books. Between 1938 and 1945 he primarily worked…
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puppetry
Styles of puppet theatre
…with a fine puppet tradition—Josef Skupa’s marionette theatre presented musical turns interspersed with witty satiric sketches introducing the two characters who gave their names to the theatre: Hurvínek, a precocious boy, and Špejbl, his slow-witted father. In France the prominent artists who designed for Les Comédiens de Bois included…
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…with a fine puppet tradition—Josef Skupa’s marionette theatre presented musical turns interspersed with witty satiric sketches introducing the two characters who gave their names to the theatre: Hurvínek, a precocious boy, and Špejbl, his slow-witted father. In France the prominent artists who designed for Les Comédiens de Bois included…
Read More