From: Robert Smythe <robertsmythe-AT-mumpuppet.org> Subject: Re: PUPT: Re: Thoughts on Avenue Q Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 11:39:55 -0500 > Yes Robert, true. But the big difference between puppeteers and > musicians > is that the puppeteer has to design a new set of instruments for every > new > work. Can you imagine if Vivaldi had to write the music and then > design and > build the quartet of string instruments to play it on? > This is true of classical music, yes, but in today's world of sampling and electronic music, percussion and advances in modern music, there are many musicians today who are creating the instruments they need to play the music they hear inside their heads. Puppetry is not unique in this. People have made music out of instruments they have made themselves, whether it is reeds, washbasins or rubber bands strung over cigar boxes. Today technology has caught up to the needs of many musicians so they no longer need to possess the skills of a luthier just to hear the tune they want to create. It is also true that many puppeteers use the instruments that already exist, whether they build themselves or buy them from others, to create new work. The composer of Gurenlieder (I think it is Wagner) included a note for the flute that is not found on the standard instrument and so today when it is played the flautist must construct an instrument to play it. Percussion players in many orchestras are called upon to create instruments to create certain sounds and pianos have been "prepared" for decades to give certain sounds. And let's not forget the Theremin, dating back to the '20's. There are many puppeteers who believe that they must have the skills of a master cabinetmaker/sculptor before they can begin to explore the performance side of puppetry, and that every new production requires building a new set of instruments. By limiting the idea of puppetry to the creation of the object, I believe puppetry is not making the contributions to the larger world of theater that it can and should. If we look a puppeteer who made huge contributions to the larger world of performance, Jim Henson, I think it is possible to consider the Muppets as a collection of ready-made instruments with known characteristics, voices, qualities, etc., each played/performed by someone who knows how to bring out nuances of performance based on their own talents and their interaction with other players, their relationship to their instrument and their understanding of the material they are playing. Why does it seem so hard to accept that puppetry might have a lot in common with other performance forms? Robert Smythe Artistic Director Mum Puppettheatre 115 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 T: 215.925.7686 F: 215.922.5184 robertsmythe-AT-mumpuppet.org http://www.mumpuppet.org --- Personal replies to: Robert Smythe <robertsmythe-AT-mumpuppet.org> --- 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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