Unframed reproduction of 1983 Soviet Theatre Poster – “Klown’s Smile” – Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre – Multilingual Edition

A fine art reproduction of one of the rarest pieces of late-Soviet theatrical graphic design — the 1983 playbill for the Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre’s production of Klown’s Smile (Улыбка клоуна). Printed on museum-quality matte paper, ready to frame to your own specification.

The design is atmospheric and quietly virtuosic. A central marionette clown — rendered in cool grey tones with vivid pops of blue shoes and a red nose — is shown with his strings and controls fully visible, embracing the “theatre within a theatre” concept at the heart of the production. His distinctive book-leaf hairstyle nods to the storytelling nature of Chepovetsky’s work. A collector’s detail: the artist’s mark — a stylised “Cč” / “CH” + ’83 — is hidden on the sole of the clown’s left shoe.

What makes this playbill particularly remarkable is its multilingual design: the title and theatre credits appear in Russian, English, Spanish, German, Polish, and French — a reflection of the Leningrad puppet troupe’s prestigious international touring schedule during the 1980s. With an original print run of only 2,500 copies, this is a genuinely scarce document of Soviet theatrical culture.

Publication Details
Original year: 1983
Theatre: Leningrad Puppet-Marionette Theatre, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR
Playwright: Efim Chepovetsky (Ефим Чеповецкий)
Director: Vladimir Lopuhin
Languages: Russian, English, Spanish, German, Polish, French
Original Size: 59 × 87 cm (23.2 × 34.3 in)

Want to own the original vintage poster? View the original here →
Prefer it ready to hang? View the framed reproduction here →
Prefer an instant digital download? View the digital edition here →

Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.

• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!