From: HobgoblinH-AT-aol.com Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 00:08:42 EST Subject: Re: PUPT: Swazzle P&J In a message dated 99-11-23 23:21:37 EST, you write: << I am indeed getting my Punch & Judy kit a kaboodle together -- hopefully in time for a local festival on December 4. Calling myself: Professor Ratbaggy's Red Cordial Show. 'Tis my puppetarian launch. With luck I'll be working the beaches over summer.>> Sounds great-- good luck with your launch. I would be glad to hear which of the cast you are going with. <<However, I have a question of afficiondoes: when using the swazzle for Punch's voice is one expected to be understood?>> In the use of swazzle, the general practice is to have the bottler echo what Punch says and react to it so that the audience can understand; and to keep his speeches repetitious and simple, so that they can understand much of what he says, anyway-- "That's the way to do it!" and "Oh, no, I didn't" and "What a pretty baby!" In case there is no bottler, then the characters onstage tend to echo his speeches, then react to them. I have heard some fairly understandable swazzlers, but in general, no, they are hard to understand. << Also: what's the feeling about substituting kazoos for swazzles as the kazoos can be sharper with words?>> Alas, a kazoo is in your lips, which makes pronouncing words a bit tough. << I can handle a squeeky falsetto easily -- should I rely on that for Punch and introduce the swazzle during fight and anger sequences? I cannot imagine a Punch figure without a swazzle. >> I have no problem imagining Punch without a swazzle-- I have seen some very good Punches without. If Preston won't mind my taking his name in vain, he does a great Punch with a very natural voice, and it is hilarious. If you haven't already mastered the swazzle, December is breathing down on your neck like a freight train, and its use is quite tricky. A squeaky voice does fine. It would be safer at this late date than chancing swallowing the swazzle in mid performance. I am thinking of doing a swtch in voices myself, to a slightly lower, more masculine tone, as my new Punch figure looks more robust and mature than my first. It'll still be a bit nasal and tinny, though. Alice, who will have the pleasure of being Professor Hob on first weekend of December. --- Personal replies to: HobgoblinH-AT-aol.com --- List replies to: puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- Admin commands to: majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- Archives at: http://lists.village.virginia.edu/~spoons
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