Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:52:28 -0800
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Subject: [Puptcrit] Presidential Punch


Dear Fred and puppetcritters,

You probably already know about the story of George Washington going to a
puppet show but for those who don't, George Washington made this entry on
Nov. 16 1776 in his account book:

By Cost of seeing Wax Work 7/6
By Ditto Do. Puppit Shew  11/6

Not a whole lot to go from but George, Martha and their two teenagers were
staying with friends in Williamsburg that day so it is believed that they
and one of their slaves went to the show.  There is more about this outing
to a puppet show in numerous books but probably most accessible and puppetry
oriented would be Paul McPharlin's "The Puppet Theatre in America" published
1949 and reissued in '69.  McPharlin analyzes the admission to come to the
conclusion that there were four tickets together, one in the gallery for
their slave and a tip to come to the total of 11/6.  Considering the times,
it is interesting that the Washingtons brought their slave to the show.  I
wonder if the theatre had segregated seating or if the cheap tickets were
integrated or was it just an exception for G. Washington?  There are some
promotional blurbs believed to be about this show also in McPharlin's book.

Also sorry Fred, too far for me to catch your show but break a swasage this
Saturday and wish George Washington a happy birthday for me.  He must be
getting fairly old by now.

Sincerely,

Dmitri Carter

dmitri-AT-nwpuppet.org

http://www.nwpuppet.org

Northwest Puppet Center
9123 - 15th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA 98115

tel:  206 523 2579
fax:  206 523 8078


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