Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 17:19:34 -0400
From: "David A. Syrotiak" <nmt-AT-sover.net>
Subject: Re: PUPT: children's theater



Mary R Harrison wrote:

> Which makes me have a question.  The standards of performance, in terms
> of execution, have obviously changed.  Witness all of the conversation
> about earlier puppeteers.  Why then, don't we expect (and discuss)
> similar changes in scripts and acting?

Mary:

I looked at some scripts from companies that I worked for some 40 odd years
ago when I first started in this business . . . and cringe.  Even early
scripts that I did (influenced by the companies I worked for) turn me beet
red.  What worked 20, 30 years ago will not fly now.  Things have changed.
Children/adult audiences have become more sophisticated and knowledgeable in
their tastes via exposure to be best of theatre, the movies and (yes even
occasionally) TV.  Hopefully puppeteers have also learned.  The puppeteers of
the past were fantastic for their time and helped set a standard of
excellence that we have built upon.  Without them we would still be 'jiggling
the dummies'.  Even the 'broad, corny' acting styles of 100 years ago set a
standard that have been built upon.  Once can only wonder just how good/bad
the actors were in Shakespeare's time - what the standard for excellence was
back then.

There is change.  The fact that you ask why we shouldn't expect similar
changes in scripts and acting means that change is still going on and will
continue to evolve towards 'excellence' (that word is a personal criteria).
All forms of art are a mirror that reflect the age it was created in and is
constantly evolving.  Howdy Doody was pretty hot stuff in it's day.  Howdy
did not hold up to the real acid test - the test of time.  Will be
interesting to see what people 50 years from now will think about the current
crop of 'artists'.  Margo and Rufus Rose's shows were lovely.  Looking at
some of the videos they are dated but some of the manipulation is truly
beautiful.  While growing up I looked up to them as my mentors and they set a
standard for me to try to meet.

Perhaps that's what it's all about - the passing on of technique and
standards that the rest of us can build upon so that we don't keep on
reinventing the puppetry wheel.

See what happens when you reach my age . . . you ramble!!

David (the elder)





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