From: "Robert Rogers" <robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 16:53:46 -0400
Subject: [Puptcrit] Sicilian Marionettes


Thanks Bud & Alan for the link to a translation of Orlando Furioso.  Years ago I saw the Manteo family in performance, and also a show at the Puppet House Theater in Stony Creek, CT.  This latter place had been an old movie house, and was used for various performances of all kinds.  The Weil family in the U.S. had commissioned the Macri family in Italy to create a collection of Sicilian marionettes.  These were on display in CT, and used occasionally in a performance (crude and amateurish).  The Puppet House was not actually a working puppet theater as one would hope.

Sadly, the place has been closed down by the local fire and building departments.  I also recently discovered that the Macri family marionettes (which date back to the early 1900's) are for sale!  Thousands of Euros each.  Now that's a dying art.

I've seen video excerpts of several other Sicilian marionette shows, and though the puppets are truly elaborate, the performances are always so clumsy and sloppy.  I wonder if there's one in the world that is as finely performed as it is crafted?

The Carter family in Seattle currently has one.  I'd like to see it.  But I live in New York.

Robert Rogers
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