Choreographer and voice coach join us for July’s Monkey rehearsals

July’s rehearsals for Monkey!, which begins touring in September 2014, have helped to fine-tune our production, helped in no small measure by our wonderful choreographer Belinda Chapman (who has worked with the amazing Matthew Bourne company) and voice coach Joe Richard.

 

Belinda and Joe have been working with us to get our movements and voice work just right for the complex show, which features string puppets, shadow puppets and live music. As you can imagine, getting the sound balance and voices just right is hugely important.

A range of traditional and modern instruments

The Monkey cast is made up of a wide array of characters, so our movements have to reflect the mythological animal world we are bringing to life.

Some of our cast members hanging out and relaxing between scenes

We will be touring from September 2014 to October 2015 with two shows: Monkey! a show for children and families aged 4+ and SuperMonkey aimed at children aged 3-5. Both are scripted by the brilliant Michael Rosen, and we will also have workshops linked to the shows with lantern making and shadow puppet making.

Please visit our booking enquiry page for more information – hope to see you there!

Michael Rosen joins in Monkey’s June rehearsals

Things are moving quickly here at PuppetCraft HQ for our new show Monkey!

Our rehearsals stepped up a notch in late June as children’s author and Monkey! script writer Michael Rosen came down to Devon for two days to join in rehearsals and put the final touches to his two scripts: Monkey! (for children aged 4+) and SuperMonkey (ages 3-5).

Michael looks like he is about to become a flying superhero!

The string puppet stage is constructed.

rehearsal 6 small

Smile please!

Monkey, Michael and the rest of the creative team looking rather serious.

rehearsal 4 small

Monkey getting a look in as Michael writes the script.

MONKEY swings into action!

Work is well underway on our new show, MONKEY!

John has been carving new puppets in the workshop round the clock – monkey puppets, heads, hands, feet… and has even been working on a giant head.

Head carving


Monkey having costume fitted to legs

Making of “Big Head”.

John has also been working with an amazing Chinese brush painting artist, Li Xiao Bai, who lives in Plymouth. He has been creating original images for the show:

DSC_0161 DSC_0157 DSC_0154

John is not alone on his quest to make the show:
Martin is making the “Big Face”, Sarah is making a dragon, Sue is doing all the fabric work, Jo is drawing a comic book, Rachel is composing music, Joanna is making an egg and fish, Jane has carved many hands and feet, Mike has made close to a dozen monkeys, Archi and Brian are welding and jointing the stage, Libby is making paper-cuts as shadow puppets and Jen is keeping you up to date with the show’s progress on social media… wow what a lot of work being done by a lot of people!

A troupe of monkeys and maker

Mike and his troupe of monkeys!

dragon small

Sarah and her dragon sketches

 

Arts Council funding for Circle of Tales

Added 5th May 2011

GOOD NEWS…. PuppetCraft has been given funding by the Arts Council England for a new show called CIRCLE OF TALES.

Arts council

It is to be an African story with live music performed by top British-based African musicians.
PuppetCraft’s artistic director is spending April in Africa working with leading storyteller Gcina Mhlope to research and write a purpose-made script for the show.
The premier is on 1st October….

News round-up

Added 9th February 2011.
We are still touring The Mousehole Cat to great appreciation.
“My favorite show.” “A little gem!” Audience comments.

Tom and Cat web

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Our workshop has been busy making puppets for other theatre companies:

Prof Yaffle

Professor Yaffle the wooden woodpecker was made lovingly out of plywood for a theatre show of Bagpuss which ran at the Soho Theatre, London.
And two large puppets for a large theatre show by celebrated Kneehigh Theatre.

Kneehigh

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Plans are afoot to make a new production … on an African theme…. working with top musician Chartwell.

Chartwell Dutiro

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Making courses have been more popular this year than ever.

Course 2011 2 Course 2011 1

Selfish Giant Little Book

Added 25th June 2010

We have made a beautiful little book of the The Selfish Giant show.
It has been drawn and coloured by Jo and it comes in a handmade cloth bag made by Sue.
The selfish giant book

The words are by Oscar Wilde slightly altered as they are in the show. The pictures are based on the puppets.
The book folds out so it can be put up as a long, long, long picture.
We sell these books at the show, or you can order by email or phone 01803 867778.
Cost is £8 + £1.50 postage.