Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 22:52:54 -0400
From: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert)
Subject: Re: PUPT: one-person puppet theatre questions


Regarding one person puppet theater...
 It is indeed possible to perform solo pieces with rod puppets or
marionettes, though I think rod puppets would be more difficult to do solo.
I recently mounted a solo (semi-solo? I use an assistant to hand the
puppets to me) of "Puss in Boots" with marionettes.  Each puppet is
constructed with a type of rocker bar for walking and the hand string is
manipulated by either the hand holding the puppet or the hand holding the
other puppet.  Sound confusing? The puppets are a rod marionette (central
rod running down into the head) and I can use my forefinger or thumb to
opperate the hand string.  At times when the puppets are close together I
sometimes use the fingers of the hand holding the puppet that is not moving
to work the hands of the puppet that is moving/speaking. Yes, this takes
not only coordination but also care in scripting and staging.  At one brief
momment there are 3 puppets on stage being worked with two hands. Tricky
business indeed.
 This is a 35 minute show and the puppets do talk in that I speak the lines
for them, but they do not have moving mouths, if that's what you were
refering to.
 Remember, puppets do much better than they say.  In other words, the
interest lies in the action. There needs to be a balance between what is
done and what is said but I think the balance is tilted slightly toward the
action. This is especially true of puppets that don not have moveable
mouths. But even if the mouths do move you have to remember that this is a
performance not a lecture. There are of course exceptions to this rule -
David Simpich's richly written and vocalized shows that use only minimal
puppet action to illustrate the story are prime examples.
 You also could explore table top puppets or object puppetry (I can't
beleive I am recomending object puppetry - a form so often done, IMHO,
shall I say - poorly.) The trick is to artfully perform a story, and that
lies first in the writing, second in the telling, and then finally in the
style of puppets you choose. Before people jump on this and say I have the
chicken before the egg, notice I said to artfully PERFORM.  It is best if
you choose the puppet style before you begin writing as some things will
work better for one type of puppet than they will for another. Writing for
your style of puppet will allow you to artfully perform the show.
 Hope this and the earlier post answered your questions.

And on a final note... While I understand that attending a festival,
especially a national festival, is not always economically possible I
encourage you (you plural/general, not just Monica) not to make the same
mistake I did for several years.  I always "wanted" to go to a festival but
never made it a priority.  I was kind of like a kid wishing for a bike but
not telling anyone that was what I really wanted and not doing anything to
get it.  Eventually I went to a festival and I have been to at least one
nearly every year since.  I discovered that it is an investment and not an
expense.  If you think you can't afford the costs I could argue that you
can't afford not to go, but instead I will suggest that there are many jobs
available at the festival that you can work so that the festival cost is
very little beyond your transportation. This helps you and the festival.
What a deal! So I hope to see you at a festival in the near future.




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