marionette control - not only for the specialist

You Google it and do some research in libraries and soon you find that there are many many ways to string a Marionette. It is certainly a very important part in its creation! The first video shows you my basic control from which I try and change and adapt it to what I need for a particular show or Marionette. One of the additional problems for me is that performing solo you should be able to operate it with one hand. Wait are you one handed? No, having one Marionette on stage is not enough for a good show.... most of the time.

Most of my controls are made of Beech wood, Kauri or Matai. Reads fussy, but the feel of the wood in your hand and the technical qualities it needs for a good operation is important. Pine just does not feel right.

The dimensions you can get from me holding it. I suppose having learnt with a very similar control it might be just what you are used to you might think. Though having two Marionettes in your hands most of the time they both want action. This control facilitated all this very well. Over the years I adapted it to my trick marionettes as well as my animals. Put the base form horizontal and it opens up many possibilities.

For my seven Dwarfs I created a control that gives me three groups of Dwarfs. They all fit together and march in seven at the time. Pretty impressive for the audience.

Should you have any questions just write a comment.  Thanks

 Here you can see the 10mm dowel extending out for the nose string, lifts the head to look up.

This is the control I use for the trick marionette in an earlier blog. Double strings in parts and not easy to operate.

Touring 2014 and happy memories

Thanks for all the returns so far, it shows up to become an exciting touring year. My last visit to a lot of parts of Aotearoa is well remembered. Certainly gives me a nice feeling about the work done over the years. The Marionettes and myself are very much looking forward to visiting the length and breadth of our lovely pacific country.

Memories

Waitiangi Day!!!! And listing to the programme on National Radio made me think of 1990. Strings Attached was one of the invited groups to performer at Waitangi for the 150 year celebrations. Staying up there and witnessing those days was a memory I will not forget. The Bay was filled with large sailing ships from around the world and wakas were going to and fro. For me as a new New Zealander then it was like a time warp. It was glimpse into the past and a promise to the future. The show I did was Mustava and the Moon for the ongoing programme in the visitor’s centre of the Waitangi grounds. For certain an event and experience I will not forget.

Marionette Gallery 7 - The blue one

The world of movies is taking over our imagination and people think about Avatar. Though we talk about blue blood and mean aristocracy. This figure developed slowly with the parts in my workshop for a year or so. One day, looking at it, it all fell into place. Certainly he had to be blueish and wear a suit. Somewhat alien and otherworldly, contrasts his businesslike outfit. Even though he could possibly walk I decided he floats from place to place, just a good hand width above the ground. His first part was in Titanic where he played in a dream sequence as the accountant of Jacks father. Do look forward to have him appear in other roles for surprise and amusement.

Masks in Australia - German Summerschool

 Hey where are the puppets? Well this is another branch of my activities.

For a week January I was invited to give a workshop for the Goethe Institute Australia Summer School in Canberra. The theme was German Traditions. Well there are certainly a lot of them as Germany is rather regional. It came down to two very different festivals St Martinsfest and Krampus. Check them out on youtube there is lots!! Both are celebrations during the winter month in Germany.  The participants created a lantern and a mask as well as a costume during the week. It culminated in a fantastic procession at night with candles lighting up the lanterns and each Australian Krampus version introducing him/herself to all the other participants. There were lots of brilliant results, laughter and enjoyment and the photos only show a small section of the created works though will give you an idea.

Marionette Gallery 6 - The bird

Hi everybody nice to be back. Bit late as I am currently in Australia, more about that in another block. Let me introduce another member of the team today. A no name character and in the unfortunate position of the role as a sidekick for many shows. Pleasant and agile I like to bring this bird in to breakup a scene or as for Rumpelstiltzkin, add tension and surprise. For the performers it might be interesting to see the control and I will make a blog entry about variations on it later in the year. This bird just has the cute factor and the ohh and ahhs of a younger audience are certain.

30 years!!

30 Years Strings Attached in New Zealand!  To celebrate we organise a tour throughout New Zealand from Bluff to Kaitaia. Certainly there are a lot of memories as I have worked in schools that are sadly no longer there. Closed, sold and merged with other schools for many reasons, the population shift north is also changing the face of all of New Zealand.  Witnessing the changes this country went through in those 30 years was phenomenal on all levels, though exciting and thrilling as well. 

                                This photo - copyright to the Press Newspaper Christchurch New Zealand

This first photo was taken by the Press Newspaper in Christchurch accompanied by an article headlined The Master of the Marionettes. 

This second one is a recreation 30 years later in my dining room.  Spot the many differences and have a day with a Puppet Master in Wellington.

Took a while, dug the glasses out, somehow they survived. Repacked puppet boxes to find the three beggars, part of a number of plays including the Hans Sachs Fastnachtspiele. Pose in the same way, put on the same smile... didn't realise that recreations are more difficult than thought. For space reasons lets not start with all the stories that could be told. Enjoy the year and catch up with us somewhere in New Zealand or overseas.

Marionette Gallery 5 - grandma -

Like I mentioned before all the carved characters are individuals that work together for a show. Like you produce actors that you assemble for a production. Frequently I carve and create away in the workshop and do not know where this new creation will end up playing a part.  In the end you have a more interesting combination of characters. Although creating women characters is more difficult for me. Males and monsters are easy, maybe because I am male, women take more time and are tricky. Which does not mean there are non. Today I thought I introduce one of my leading ladies. Lets put age before whatever, and show you my 'grandmother'. She worked in Mustava and the Kauri Giant and Titanic as well as minor roles in other productions. You might think she looks homely but she certainly is a no nonsense down to earth character. She is in the running for the productions of 'Frau Holle' a Grimms Fairytale that is in the planning stage. The story has an all female cast which will be a bit of a challenge.