Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 12:38:06 +0100
Subject: PUPT: Puppet Movement/Symbolism


Sorry Mary,
I agree wholeheartedly with Preston on this. It seemsas he points out, that
movement is the defining aspect of puppet theater. Essentially movement as
metaphor. So how is that different from dance or pantomime? Only in that
the movement is centered outside the body of the motivating force-- ie,
that there is some displacement, either large or small between the mover
and the metaphoric presence on the stage.

I did see the Salzberg "Magic Flute "production that Preston described (in
Hong Kong of all places.) Like him I found it extraordinary stilted and
boring, despite the beautiful scenery. Why have these beautiful marionettes
simply substitute for the "meaties" (is that on okay technical term?)  Much
more interesting were the Chinese hand puppets who imitated the wild
acrobatics and martial arts of the Chinese Opera. For some reason there the
substitution was not so annoying.

Stephen





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