To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:22:53 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Narration ~ When and how to Use it..



I think the younger the audience is, the more narration is acceptable and the more straightforward it can be.

Adults and older children, are better at piecing together the complexities of a story from context, give them too much exposition and they'll feel talked down to. It's also the easiest and most straightforward way of getting information across, so older audiences can find it lazy or boring compared to more clever ways of revealing the plot. You'll notice it's used pretty sparingly in contemporary adult theater and film.

One exception to this would be the "unreliable narrator" where the narration is a window onto the events of the story, but the way they are filtered through the viewpoint of the narrator makes an interesting puzzle for the audience to figure out. Think of Baron Munchausen. Another variation would be a narrator that was an interesting enough character that the pleasure of watching and hearing them speak overrides objections. The narrator of Conan the Barbarian has such a great voice and dramatic manner that the narration stays very fun.

Younger kids will have more trouble picking up clues from the action. If you want them to follow the plot (which I'm starting to learn, may not be that important) Narration is a good way to make sure they get the information they need in a very clear way. It also has advantages that communicating through the action does not. A narrator can very quickly recap and remind the audience of any past events. Being omniscient, the narrator has the tools to remind the kids that the apple is poisoned, the dwarves are away, the prince is coming, and snow white doesn't recognize the queen all very clearly and in one breath. It isn't as easy to reiterate through dialogue.

The thing to remember is that any show for young kids is going to have parents there too. Not is it cruel to make them sit through a show pitched entirely at a toddler level, but they pay for the tickets, and are more likely to come back if they enjoy the show as much as their kids did.

I hope that wasn't totally confusing.
B. Shur




> From: goodfolk-AT-avalon.net
> Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:11:13 -0600
> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Narration ~ When and how to Use it..
> 
> Hi, Pixie.
> I do some shows with narration and some without (with only puppets 
> speaking).  When I choose the narrator format, I develop a character 
> for myself and keep the narrator in that character.  The narrator 
> sometimes interacts with the puppet characters.  Of course you can also 
> do an invisible narrator with a radio announcer-type voiceover (both 
> Paul Mesner and Leon Van Weelden-and of course others- do that very 
> well).  I personally don't feel comfortable in that format, but I do 
> have fun with the narrator-as-character. Advantages of the narrator 
> show:  transitions are easier and audience control is super easy.
> Monica
> Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre
> 319 N. Calhoun, POB 330
> West Liberty, IA. 52776
> http://www.puppetspuppets.com
> 
> 
> 
> On Jan 31, 2009, at 2:43 PM, Pixie Moss wrote:
> 
> > ** I apologize if this is a duplicate post. I seem to be having 
> > difficulty
> > posting. **
> >
> >
> >  I was wondering if folks could write a bit about narration in regards 
> > to
> > puppet shows. Any thoughts at all.
> >
> > How much is to much ? When is it most appropriately used ? How should 
> > it not
> > be used, and anything else that relates.
> >
> > We are looking at adapting the tale,
> >
> > The Nixie of the Millpond, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm181.html  , 
> > for
> > our first show. My temptation is to use  a lot of narration to 
> > transition
> > some of the scenes ..but I know that is a no, no..that I need to think 
> > more
> > in terms of action...
> >
> > I was wondering however, when and how is it preferable to use it..
> >
> >
> > ~ Pixie
> >
> > -- 
> > Enchanted Gypsy ~ Travel Diaries
> > http://www.enchantedgypsy.blogspot.com/
> > _______________________________________________
> > List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
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> > Archives: http://www.driftline.org
> >
> >
> 
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