From: Alan Cook <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:41:39 GMT
Subject: [Puptcrit] Topo Gigio, The Italian Mouse
Maria Perego's "Topo Gigio" was a big star on Italian TV in the 1960s. Ed Sullivan got exclusive U.S. TV rights for the character, and Topo was a recurrent visitor to the Ed Sullivan Show which gave wide dissemination of Topo to American auydiences, but also prevented other appearances on our TV.
In Mexico, around 1962, that was not a problem. There Topo had his own show, (en espanol) which I could pick up on channel 34, Los Angeles which rebroadcast many Mexican shows. There was a feature color film set in a circus which played during the Christmas season around 1965--I saw it in Berkeley CA while working on a puppet exhibit in Oakland CA.
The U.S. Paternt Office issued Maria Perego a patent for the system used to animate Topo---basically a variation of miniature bunraku.
Later Maria lived in South American for a time. I have not had any updated information for some years.
-----Original Message-----
From: puptcrit-request-AT-puptcrit.org
Sent: Sunday, April 4, 2010 9:00 AM
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: puptcrit Digest, Vol 66, Issue 4
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Today's Topics:
1. Video: David Simpich Marionettes (Mathieu Ren?)
2. toy theater figures (Hobey Ford)
3. Syrotiak's National Marionettes: whose work got you going?
(Hobey Ford)
4. Re: Syrotiak's National Marionettes: whose work got yougoing?
(Mathieu Ren?)
5. whose work got you going? (Robert Rogers)
6. Re: whose work got you going? (FLEXITOON-AT-aol.com)
7. Re: whose work got you going? (Vladimir Vasyagin)
8. Re: whose work got you going? (Mathieu Ren?)
9. Re: toy theater figures (Mary Horsley)
10. Re: whose work got you going? (BNathanson-AT-aol.com)
11. Re: whose work got you going? (Bruce K. Chesse)
12. Re: whose work got you going? (BNathanson-AT-aol.com)
13. Re: whose work got you going? (Mathieu Ren?)
14. Re: whose work got you going? (BNathanson-AT-aol.com)
15. Re: whose work got you going? (Stephen Kaplin)
16. Re: whose work got you going? (Mark S. Segal)
17. Re: whose work got you going? (Bil Bug)
18. Re: whose work got you going? (BNathanson-AT-aol.com)
19. Re: whose work got you going? (The Independent Eye)
20. Re: whose work got you going? (Kurt and Kathy Hunter)
21. Re: whose work got you going? (Mary Horsley)
22. Re: whose work got you going? (Kevin Pittman)
23. Re: whose work got you going? (DRAMA711-AT-aol.com)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 14:56:41 -0400
From: Mathieu Ren? <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
Subject: [Puptcrit] Video: David Simpich Marionettes
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <17A29223358248C996CB622DE9B03A82-AT-critter1>
reply-type=original
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=XZhCE4Q4tMI
Very very cool!
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 14:56:23 -0400
From: Hobey Ford <hobeyone-AT-gmail.com>
Subject: [Puptcrit] toy theater figures
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <p0624080fc7dd3f8a01bd-AT-[192.168.111.4]>
Went to VT to look at diaries of my great grandmother from the 19th C
and tucked in the little trunk are a set of toy theater figures. The
appeared to be printed in color. Does anyone know when they started
printing these in color or does anyone recognize the characters. I
would like top make a set from these scans. I have attached the jpg
so the attachment might show up on the following post.
[ Attachment:
http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/6d7897d7/attachment.jpg
]
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 14:57:59 -0400
From: Hobey Ford <hobeyone-AT-gmail.com>
Subject: [Puptcrit] Syrotiak's National Marionettes: whose work got
you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <p06240810c7dd3fe3168a-AT-[192.168.111.4]>
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting David Syrotiak Sr ,Pat, David
and Peter in their new studio space in Brattleboro VT. It is in a
large warehouse where auspiciosly enough, the Harry Potter books were
published in the states. They had a big space in the building, I'm
guessing around 40 X 40 ft with a loft space above for storage and
office. They were setting up their first rehearsal there with Ali
Baba and the Forty Thieves, the show which launched my interest in
puppetry 42 years ago, so I was intrigued to get a look at the
figures. It was quite satisfying to see these marionettes as they
were every bit as amazing both in construction and manipulation as I
remember. So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?
[Attachments:
http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment.jpe
http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0001.jpe
http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0002.jpe
http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0003.jpe
]
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 15:04:04 -0400
From: Mathieu Ren? <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Syrotiak's National Marionettes: whose work
got yougoing?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <2D64280B9F734CD08D2C5A944957A012-AT-critter1>
reply-type=original
The Syrotiaks are fun to be around, and indeed quite inspiring!
Altough I enjoyed visiting their previous studio last year, full of history
and inspiration, I'm glad they have their new space, made to their
specifications.
And whatever happened to Mustapha?
Did he get intro a brawl?
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 15:52:32 -0400
From: "Robert Rogers" <robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com>
Subject: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <D00DFAB1191648AD975EFC7D82475D8F-AT-roberty0lfrawy>
reply-type=original
>So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?
When I was a boy growing up in Queens, NY during the 1960's, I was lucky to
see the Bil Baird Marionettes, the Obraztsov troupe and the Bunraku company.
I still have the program books. I also saw The Paper Bag Players, a
children's theater company - not puppet theater, but a now legendary, and
you might say pioneering, group.
Oh, and I always looked forward to the innovative Muppets, Senor Wences,
Shari Lewis, Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson and Topo Gigio (don't know his
handlers) to appear on TV.
Robert Rogers
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 16:01:27 EDT
From: FLEXITOON-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <62304.629aab12.38e8f897-AT-aol.com>
The Paul Ashley Puppets, Chuck McCann, Sandy Becker, Paul Winchell, Bil &
Cora Baird.
In a message dated 4/3/2010 3:53:15 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com writes:
>So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?
When I was a boy growing up in Queens, NY during the 1960's, I was lucky
to
see the Bil Baird Marionettes, the Obraztsov troupe and the Bunraku
company.
I still have the program books. I also saw The Paper Bag Players, a
children's theater company - not puppet theater, but a now legendary, and
you might say pioneering, group.
Oh, and I always looked forward to the innovative Muppets, Senor Wences,
Shari Lewis, Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson and Topo Gigio (don't know his
handlers) to appear on TV.
Robert Rogers
_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
Archives: http://www.driftline.org
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 17:09:53 -0400
From: Vladimir Vasyagin <vasyagin-AT-hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <SNT111-W5343042860CF74E42D2F22D31B0-AT-phx.gbl>
So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?Well,.. Wrotslav Puppet theater (Poland), Theater am Faden (Germany), Skomorokh & theater "Ten'"(Russia)...
Vladimir
> From: robertrogers-AT-robertrogerspuppets.com
> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 15:52:32 -0400
> Subject: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
>
> >So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?
>
> When I was a boy growing up in Queens, NY during the 1960's, I was lucky to
> see the Bil Baird Marionettes, the Obraztsov troupe and the Bunraku company.
> I still have the program books. I also saw The Paper Bag Players, a
> children's theater company - not puppet theater, but a now legendary, and
> you might say pioneering, group.
>
> Oh, and I always looked forward to the innovative Muppets, Senor Wences,
> Shari Lewis, Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson and Topo Gigio (don't know his
> handlers) to appear on TV.
>
> Robert Rogers
>
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
_________________________________________________________________
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 17:51:18 -0400
From: Mathieu Ren? <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <3FA508C70F7F41B7B25552A171AA49BD-AT-critter1>
reply-type=original
I learned a few years ago that I was named after a puppet by Gerry Anderson.
I grew up with many puppet shows on TV, a surprising number of them produced
in quebec, Canada, but the est mostly from the USA.
Fell I love with the movie Labyrinth and it still is my favorite movie.
Only got to see a pro puppet show in person when I was about 21, maybe even
23.
The truth seems to be that, despite the surprisingly high concentration of
puppeteers in Quebec, it still is an underground niche of Theatre.
So it is not surprising it tookm e that long to see one show.
Nowadays, my main inspirations:
.David Syrotiak's National Marionette Theatre, for the wonderfully efficient
marionettes which also happen to look fantastic, and for the people within,
making the company alive.
.Hobey Ford, also for the efficiency of his work, and especially for the
sense of wonder I felt when seeing his Animalia show.
.Ronnie Burkett, for the beauty of his marionnettes, which I have been
admiring for many years online. I can't wait to see him perform for the
first time in person, at the end of this month.
.The company Garin Trousseboeuf, from France, for their wonderful invention,
the Bag puppet. I would have never believed how much range of motions and
emotions a bag puppet would have, if I had not see it performed in person.
.The works of Jim Henson and company, not only for the magical production
qualities, but also for contributing majorly to the cause of bringing
puppetry into the general public's eye.
.and an impossible to count number of artists whose many different works I
am exposed to constantly, fueling my own inspiration by the sheer staggering
amount of possibilities. No matter how overwhelmed I may get when
contemplating their skill Ievels, I eventually keep going, having learnt
something precious from observing, and even more by trying, making mistakes,
and trying again.
Thanks, you all, for the constant fuel!
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sat, 03 Apr 2010 18:22:56 -0400
From: Mary Horsley <mphorsley-AT-verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] toy theater figures
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <E0DCDFBC-A7D4-4C90-B2CA-2CC8375F90DF-AT-verizon.net>
What a find! They are nice....
Mary
On Apr 3, 2010, at 2:56 PM, Hobey Ford wrote:
> Went to VT to look at diaries of my great grandmother from the 19th C
> and tucked in the little trunk are a set of toy theater figures. The
> appeared to be printed in color. Does anyone know when they started
> printing these in color or does anyone recognize the characters. I
> would like top make a set from these scans. I have attached the jpg
> so the attachment might show up on the following post.
>
> [ Attachment:
> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/6d7897d7/attachment.jpg
> ]
>
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
Mary
mphorsley-AT-verizon.net
http://joypuppet.blogspot.com
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 18:38:06 EDT
From: BNathanson-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <5e552.5fab4709.38e91d4e-AT-aol.com>
Mathieu,
What date are you seeing Ronnie's show? We will be in Montreal on a
2-day vacation (we haven't been there since my wife and I were dating in
1976). We are seeing the show on Thursday evening, April 29th. That night
Ronnie is doing a "talk back" with the audience, which is always fun.
Bob N.
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 15:51:40 -0700
From: "Bruce K. Chesse" <brucec-AT-chesseartsltd.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <00887AC5-A3A7-4299-8CBC-67A339D67067-AT-chesseartsltd.com>
Hey Bob,
Watched Seinfeld's the Marriage Ref on Thursday night where the first
couple was a vent dummy collector whose house was filled with dummies
which his spouse objected to. No one knew how to handle it because
both the contestants and the judges were all dummies. Couldn't get
one laugh out of the situation. Even the dummies couldn't crack wise.
Fell flat on their faces and I don't mean the wooden ones. What a
missed opportunity Anybody else see it?
Bruce
On Apr 3, 2010, at 3:38 PM, BNathanson-AT-aol.com wrote:
> Mathieu,
> What date are you seeing Ronnie's show? We will be in
> Montreal on a
> 2-day vacation (we haven't been there since my wife and I were
> dating in
> 1976). We are seeing the show on Thursday evening, April 29th.
> That night
> Ronnie is doing a "talk back" with the audience, which is always fun.
> Bob N.
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
Bruce K. Chesse
brucec-AT-chesseartsltd.com
http://chesseartsltd.com
http://chessearts.blogspot.com
bkc.arts.puppetry-AT-gmail.com
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 19:48:49 EDT
From: BNathanson-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <14c7e.43c29e45.38e92de1-AT-aol.com>
Hi Bruce,
I caught it as well, and had pretty much the same opinion of the show
as you did. I am surprised and disappointed that Seinfeld has tied his
name to this show. I guess $750 million dollars just isn't enough these days.
Bob
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 20:01:30 -0400
From: Mathieu Ren? <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <E7F9124AC19043EA917E6B28BE036E2C-AT-critter1>
reply-type=original
I bought a ticket for the 28th, but now I really want to switch dates to the
29th.
That is, only if the new seats are still a good view.
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 20:03:57 EDT
From: BNathanson-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <15474.32a54a35.38e9316d-AT-aol.com>
Mathieu,
Let me know if you get those new tickets.
Bob
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 20:05:49 -0400
From: Stephen Kaplin <skactw-AT-tiac.net>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <6BDD5D0E-E9DF-4CA6-B345-93084E5E02D6-AT-tiac.net>
Came of age puppetistically at UCONN in the late 70's. The visiting
artists who came there were world class-- Albrecht Roser, Felix Mirbt,
The Powells, Bruce Schwartz, DIck Meyers. Pretty good introduction to
the artform. But it was after seeing Rick Termine's MFA production of
"The Death of Doctor Faust" that convinced me that my future should be
in the puppet world. At the end of my stay at UCONN, we were invited
to the 1980 UNIMA Puppet Fest in Washington DC. -- Bread and Puppet,
Julie Taymor, Theatre Triangle, Peter Washinski, etc, etc. This put a
cap on it-- there was no turning back after that awesome week.
Stephen
On Apr 3, 2010, at 2:57 PM, Hobey Ford wrote:
> Last week I had the pleasure of visiting David Syrotiak Sr ,Pat, David
> and Peter in their new studio space in Brattleboro VT. It is in a
> large warehouse where auspiciosly enough, the Harry Potter books were
> published in the states. They had a big space in the building, I'm
> guessing around 40 X 40 ft with a loft space above for storage and
> office. They were setting up their first rehearsal there with Ali
> Baba and the Forty Thieves, the show which launched my interest in
> puppetry 42 years ago, so I was intrigued to get a look at the
> figures. It was quite satisfying to see these marionettes as they
> were every bit as amazing both in construction and manipulation as I
> remember. So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?
>
> [Attachments:
> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment.jpe
>
> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0001.jpe
>
> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0002.jpe
>
> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0003.jpe
> ]
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 20:14:16 -0400
From: "Mark S. Segal" <segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <3BEFC47926184729935353928B9D0D41-AT-segalpuppet>
reply-type=original
1980 - That was an awesome week!
Mine came from the first festival attended 1976...in Conn.
Saw Frank Ballard's Two by Two....
Thought it great!
That and all the wonderful people at that festival...eg Bruce Schwartz doing
Rat of Huge Proportions at a potpourri.
Also the idea that Steve Hansen followed the sun
Well all of it plus some prior experiences with people (like Bil Baird)
did it for me.
Mark
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Kaplin" <skactw-AT-tiac.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
> Came of age puppetistically at UCONN in the late 70's. The visiting
> artists who came there were world class-- Albrecht Roser, Felix Mirbt,
> The Powells, Bruce Schwartz, DIck Meyers. Pretty good introduction to
> the artform. But it was after seeing Rick Termine's MFA production of
> "The Death of Doctor Faust" that convinced me that my future should be
> in the puppet world. At the end of my stay at UCONN, we were invited
> to the 1980 UNIMA Puppet Fest in Washington DC. -- Bread and Puppet,
> Julie Taymor, Theatre Triangle, Peter Washinski, etc, etc. This put a
> cap on it-- there was no turning back after that awesome week.
>
>
> Stephen
------------------------------
Message: 17
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 19:27:15 -0500
From: "Bil Bug" <thatpuppetguy-AT-q.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <BAY113-DS493853A159BD25AA7E010B21A0-AT-phx.gbl>
reply-type=original
I grew up with Paul Winchell, wasn't born for Burr Tillstrom (the first time
out), and really little but remember barely Howdy Doody. But I have to be
honest, the puppetry that captured my imagination was Jim Henson's Muppets
on Sesame Street when I first started college. The use of the television
screen as the stage, the characterizations, the movement, pretty much
"hooked" me then, and now (Otis Rabbit, Stewart Raccoon, and the rest).
Later, Burr Tillstrom greatly influenced a parallel style of characters and
"worlds" one branch of Woodland Puppets inhabits (Bil Bug and company).
Wayne Krefting
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Stephen Kaplin" <skactw-AT-tiac.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 7:05 PM
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
> Came of age puppetistically at UCONN in the late 70's. The visiting
> artists who came there were world class-- Albrecht Roser, Felix Mirbt,
> The Powells, Bruce Schwartz, DIck Meyers. Pretty good introduction to
> the artform. But it was after seeing Rick Termine's MFA production of
> "The Death of Doctor Faust" that convinced me that my future should be
> in the puppet world. At the end of my stay at UCONN, we were invited
> to the 1980 UNIMA Puppet Fest in Washington DC. -- Bread and Puppet,
> Julie Taymor, Theatre Triangle, Peter Washinski, etc, etc. This put a
> cap on it-- there was no turning back after that awesome week.
>
>
> Stephen
>
>
>
> On Apr 3, 2010, at 2:57 PM, Hobey Ford wrote:
>
>> Last week I had the pleasure of visiting David Syrotiak Sr ,Pat, David
>> and Peter in their new studio space in Brattleboro VT. It is in a
>> large warehouse where auspiciosly enough, the Harry Potter books were
>> published in the states. They had a big space in the building, I'm
>> guessing around 40 X 40 ft with a loft space above for storage and
>> office. They were setting up their first rehearsal there with Ali
>> Baba and the Forty Thieves, the show which launched my interest in
>> puppetry 42 years ago, so I was intrigued to get a look at the
>> figures. It was quite satisfying to see these marionettes as they
>> were every bit as amazing both in construction and manipulation as I
>> remember. So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?
>>
>> [Attachments:
>> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment.jpe
>>
>> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0001.jpe
>>
>> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0002.jpe
>>
>> http://lists.puptcrit.org/pipermail/puptcritattach/attachments/20100403/83afc3e8/attachment-0003.jpe
>> ]
>> _______________________________________________
>> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
>> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
>> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
>
------------------------------
Message: 18
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 21:15:45 EDT
From: BNathanson-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <7b3.1c4fc227.38e94241-AT-aol.com>
As with Stephen, Elise and I were so fortunate to attend, as our first
festival, the UNIMA world festival at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.,
& at the Kennedy Center. It was inspiring and intimidating at the same
time. Seeing Bruce Schwartz, Albrecht Roser, Drak, PUK (Japan), and so many
other incredibly talented people was a life altering experience. We will
never forget the opening night gala at the Kennedy Center, where Miss Piggy
said to approximately 3,000 people, "You all wiggle dolls? You all need to
see a psychiatrist." Not the exact words, but something like that. As we
looked around the huge auditorium, we knew we had found our family.
Bob N.
------------------------------
Message: 19
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 18:35:18 -0700
From: The Independent Eye <eye-AT-independenteye.org>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <p06240800c7dd97963bcf-AT-[192.0.0.103]>
I kinda wish I knew. Of course I was in the Howdy
Doody/Kukla-Ollie/Time for Beany/Bil Baird TV generation, but none of
those things stuck with me as related to the overwhelming drive
toward theatre when i discovered, at age 15, that it existed. My
impression is that the first piece of puppetry that really captured
me was my own, in the fall of 1969, a weird satire called The People
vs the People.
That may be totally daft, as our first trip to Europe, on the back of
a motor scooter for three months, was in that previous summer, and we
saw lots of theatre, so may have seen puppets. But my interest had
gone back way before then, driven by photos. Every puppet photo had
as strong an attraction to me as some experimental-theatre naked lady
- well, nearly so. i could see the amazing possibilities. Once I
actually began to see puppet productions, it was a long time before
the actuality matched those imagined moments; for that matter, it was
a *very* long time before my own productions remotely matched the
ones I could imagine.
I guess the enormous range of Peter Schumann's dramaturgy and
stagecraft have had the strongest impact But also remembering the
experience of the Charleville-Mezieres festival in 1972. The only
thing that really stands out in memory was Richard Bradshaw's
shadows. But just seeing the huge variety, puppets as rife as
cockroaches, was enormously inspiring. A madness I felt kinship with.
But to answer the question, what got me going? Lotsa pictures of puppets.
Cheers-
Conrad
------------------------------
Message: 20
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 21:45:11 -0500
From: "Kurt and Kathy Hunter" <HunterMarionettes-AT-earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Message-ID: <3618FF619D644ABC9A6A13766F0A7F1C-AT-MYCOMPUTER>
Seeing Tony Urbano in 1975 was the spark for me. David Syrotiak's
performance of "In Concert" at the 1983 nat'l festival in Ames, Iowa was a
major inspiration. As a high school student, the World Fest in D.C. in 1980
was my first festival. I can't begin to explain how blown away I was by
that experience. I didn't get to see Albrecht Roser in 1980. Albrecht,
Phillip Huber, Philippe Genty, and count less other inspirations came later.
Kurt
------------------------------
Message: 21
Date: Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:23:00 -0400
From: Mary Horsley <mphorsley-AT-verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <BEB1F0EE-CF67-4D16-B3A1-FE223722DC8E-AT-verizon.net>
Bob,
I will never forget drinking champagne and strawberries for the first
time on an empty stomach. Lol, I did not feel well that evening. Alma
and I stayed at a local motel so we were not part of things like
potpourri. Bruce Schwartz was my highlight and meeting Jim Henson.
Mary
On Apr 3, 2010, at 9:15 PM, BNathanson-AT-aol.com wrote:
> As with Stephen, Elise and I were so fortunate to attend, as our first
> festival, the UNIMA world festival at Georgetown University in
> Washington, D.C.,
> & at the Kennedy Center. It was inspiring and intimidating at the
> same
> time. Seeing Bruce Schwartz, Albrecht Roser, Drak, PUK (Japan),
> and so many
> other incredibly talented people was a life altering experience.
> We will
> never forget the opening night gala at the Kennedy Center, where
> Miss Piggy
> said to approximately 3,000 people, "You all wiggle dolls? You all
> need to
> see a psychiatrist." Not the exact words, but something like
> that. As we
> looked around the huge auditorium, we knew we had found our family.
> Bob N.
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
Mary
mphorsley-AT-verizon.net
http://joypuppet.blogspot.com
------------------------------
Message: 22
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 01:39:54 -0400
From: Kevin Pittman <klp-AT-moonshade.oit.gatech.edu>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <20100404053954.GA30229-AT-moonshade.oit.gatech.edu>
On Sat, Apr 03, 2010 at 02:57:59PM -0400, Hobey Ford wrote:
> So whose work did you see that got you going in puppetry?
I didn't get into performing with puppets until my late 20s, so I
had a lot of TV and movie puppetry influences throughout my child-
hood and young adult years. I'd say the most notable were the many
Henson productions of the 80's and 90's, but also memorable to me are
the Bil Baird marionettes in "The Sound of Music". I'd even say that
ALF and Mr. Floppy (on "Unhappily Ever After") are also notable
(though perhaps odd) influences on me.
However, I'd have to credit seeing David Simpich perform "The Secret
Garden" at the Center for Puppetry Arts with causing me to start
thinking seriously about wanting to be a puppeteer. I then saw a
production of CPA's "Dinosaurs" a few weeks later, and that sealed
the deal for me. Watching that show made me see performing puppetry
as a wonderfully fun and magical experience. It wasn't until some
time later that I realized it is also a lot of hard work. Even so,
I learned quickly enough that all of the hard work can be incredibly
rewarding and certainly worth the effort.
My greatest love in puppetry is with quadruped costume puppets - a
love that I know began with seeing Barkley the Dog on Sesame Street
when I was a kid. Seeing the quadruped triceratops characters in
CPA's "Dinosaurs" show, and then up close at the behinds-the-scenes
workshop after the show, inspired me to seriously persue making and
performing quads. I didn't get there until I'd gotten a couple years
of basic hand puppet and mascot character performance under my belt,
but I now have four quad characters in my cast. In homage to those
who inspired me, one is a playful canine character (an Arctic Fox
pup), and the other, my most recent quad, is a triceratops :-)
Kevin
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Pittman info-AT-forestpuppets.com www.forestpuppets.com
Professional puppeteer and costume character performer
Specializing in fun, fairy tale style puppet shows, featuring
Personally designed, lovable and lifelike animal characters.
------------------------------
Message: 23
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 11:28:40 EDT
From: DRAMA711-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] whose work got you going?
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Message-ID: <3fe24.4e9eb99c.38ea0a28-AT-aol.com>
In the summer of 1973 I was traveling around the country looking for an
alternative life style. I'd taught school for two years and worked as a
carpenter, was 25 and ready for inspiration. I landed on the Berkeley campus and
happened upon what I think was called the San Francisco Street Puppet
Theatre busking on Sproul Plaza. They were doing "The Point" a sort of famous
"childrens" story that had all these philosophical double meanings. It was
wonderful. I looked to my left and saw a beautiful coed just beaming with
enjoyment and could see that people were putting money in the hat... hmmm...
I can impress girls and make money ! (something I've yet to do, but
there's still hope). I came back to DC and started a puppet band and show and a
street theatre ( knowing there was nothing like that in DC and figuring that
even if it was bad nobody'd have anything to compare it to and wouldn't
know it was bad) and the rest is history. It was my first live show ... and I
still wonder if there's any remnants of that company still existing or
even if I got the name right. Any body know?
Of course the 1980 festival was the seminal experience for all of us,
lifting the lid off the narrow boxes of our imaginations. I am forever grateful
to nancy staub who was the overall organizer and director. I was broke,
everybody in my company was broke and there's no way we could have paid for
the tickets. I called and volunteered my company and she made us house
managers for the three georgetown theatres and comped the festival. I remember
very fondly someone coming into her office in a tizzy that the DC police
were all upset at bread and puppet theatre for not having a parade permit and
they were marching!... and she brushed it off with a laugh and said
something like " this is GREAT!.. this is just what peter wants!" Thank you
Nancy!
michael cotter
blue sky puppet theatre
_www.blueskypuppets.com_ (http://www.blueskypuppets.com)
In a message dated 4/3/2010 9:35:15 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
eye-AT-independenteye.org writes:
I kinda wish I knew. Of course I was in the Howdy
Doody/Kukla-Ollie/Time for Beany/Bil Baird TV generation, but none of
those things stuck with me as related to the overwhelming drive
toward theatre when i discovered, at age 15, that it existed. My
impression is that the first piece of puppetry that really captured
me was my own, in the fall of 1969, a weird satire called The People
vs the People.
That may be totally daft, as our first trip to Europe, on the back of
a motor scooter for three months, was in that previous summer, and we
saw lots of theatre, so may have seen puppets. But my interest had
gone back way before then, driven by photos. Every puppet photo had
as strong an attraction to me as some experimental-theatre naked lady
- well, nearly so. i could see the amazing possibilities. Once I
actually began to see puppet productions, it was a long time before
the actuality matched those imagined moments; for that matter, it was
a *very* long time before my own productions remotely matched the
ones I could imagine.
I guess the enormous range of Peter Schumann's dramaturgy and
stagecraft have had the strongest impact But also remembering the
experience of the Charleville-Mezieres festival in 1972. The only
thing that really stands out in memory was Richard Bradshaw's
shadows. But just seeing the huge variety, puppets as rife as
cockroaches, was enormously inspiring. A madness I felt kinship with.
But to answer the question, what got me going? Lotsa pictures of puppets.
Cheers-
Conrad
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------------------------------
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End of puptcrit Digest, Vol 66, Issue 4
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