Life Imitates Art

We all know the history of toy theatre being rooted in the real stage.

But did you know there is a play based on toy theatre?

Superbowl ad: Stop Motion Paper Puppets

I love this ad that premiered during a recent sports event; it's got imagination, wonder, and a lot of talent behind it. It incorporates puppetry, specifically paper/stop motion. It has a bit of shadow play in one part with a dragon. Just marvelous...

Professor Will

I really must say that I've been deeply impressed* by Professor Will, and his willingess to share his knowledge and experience with those of us that - I fully admit it - deeply need the help! I have yet to make any complete toy theatre setup, but dabble here and there. In the meantime, I have earmarked his blog as another great resource, and I encourage fellow toy enthusiasts to check him out...

* Who knew that a tabletop toy theatre was lurking in all those empty copier paper boxes at my office...?!

Royal Suitcase Theatre

The Royal Suitcase Theatre are actually two very talented people, Gérard Schiphorst and Marije van der Sande. The wordless performances, absurd and silly, are done using objects that most people don't ordinarily think of as props, let alone performers, but that make perfect sense when you fall under their spell...



The suitcase theatre, as you can see from this photo, is on a scale quite similar to the toy theatre.

Canadian Puppeteer Does Good

Drew MacDonald-Smith contacted me today about a contest he's in, soliciting my support in his efforts to win a chance to perform for a group he greatly admires. After viewing the three finalists' videos, of which Drew is one, I told him sure, they were a lot of fun. I encourage you to take a look, and vote for the person you like...I have to admit though, there is something about Drew's presentation I do like. It's got a sweetness to it, and made me really smile.

PuppetFest MidWest 2006

I just found out that PuppetFest MidWest has it's own blog now. It has up-to-date information they post periodically, leading up to the festival, all in this one convenient location.

The blog mentions the festival's Open Space, where anyone can demonstrate to provide exposure for their work in particular, or a genre in general - "Last year, we were treated to Ann and George Neff's toy theatre performance of The Cure - A Gothic Melodrama by Robert Poulter." Now THAT sounds fun!

Legacy

Gigi Sandberg has been sharing for some time about an ongoing project of hers to preserve her toy theatre collection for posterity.

After Hurricane Katrina, it reminded her how easily the material world can be gone at a moment's notice. Thus, Gigi has been working even more quickly to ensure the theatres a good and permanent (and safe) home. She has found it with the Puppetry Arts Institute.

Gigi says...

"...today we sent most of my collection to the Puppetry Arts Institute in Independence, Missouri where it will be on permanent exhibit after Feb.12 when we go there to help set it up (And celebrate my 80th birthday on the 13th!!!) I will miss my theatres.....but will rest easier knowing that they won't get wet in our next hurricane."

Toy Theatre on DVD

Recently on the toy theatre email group, it has been a matter of spirited and exciting discussion on how to get a good video record of toy theatre performances. Many ideas have been discussed and there's been much brainstorming. Now, the question is, can the momentum be built on towards an actual finished product?

Today I received an email from Gigi Sandberg touching on this subject...

I just received a letter from the Board of Trustees of Puppeteers of America thanking me for contributing 4 DVDs of Toy Theatre Performances to the Audio-visual Library...which had NOTHING on the subject to date and interest in it is growing so fast.

Here is what is on them: George Speight in probably his final performance of The Miller and His Men...Peter Baldwin doing Black Eye'd Susan at the International Toy Theatre Fest in Preez Germany in 2004...and Dirk Reimers at the same fest performs The Fairies's Island. On the second DVD, Barry Clarke does Blackbeard the Pirate...Joe Gladwin does Beauty and the Beast, Robert Poulter does 8 1/2 - History of Opera in 8 1/2 minutes - and Konjecture - a study of progress / Development / conflict...and Merry Margate. On the 3rd DVD Ted Hawkins in Blackpool England includes performance by Peter Baldwin, Pauline Venables, Peter and Sylvia Peasgood....and then a wonderful section of Ted's award-winning model theatre of the Boston Opera House...including a performance of Children in the Wood AND Brian Rogers does his incredible version of Around the World in Eighty Days...followed by a review of some of the tricks and how they are done.

Now, the catch to seeing these is that you have to be a PoA member; I think I shall have to seriously consider becoming a member now...!!

The New Automata Makers

Peter Meder is an amazing man. His website is one of my favorite stops on the Information Highway.

He's a descendent (figuratively speaking) of a long line of persons who for the rest of us might as well be magicians, because of the magic they seem to produce through the use of mechanics and technology. In Peter's instance, the emphasis is definitely on the latter - not that the former is not still a vital piece of the puzzle.

Peter is using modern technology to take the creation of automata one step further. The fellow in the picture is the product of this new process...

Toy Theatre 'Movie'

Harry Oudekerk has kindly shared a movie he made awhile back, which is a performance of Sleeping Beauty. Harry says that toy theater doesn't translate very well to the medium of film which likes closeups, not to mention capturing the lighting.

Another toy theatre enthusiast I had not heard from before, Eric Laws from New Orleans, shared with me today that he is in the process of "...working on film versions of toy theater performances that will eventually be available on DVD when complete." How exciting! Eric says he'll be posting a link to them on his website, the Seven Devils Parlor (which is an online storefront for a real world store he runs in New Orleans...) I can't wait to see the DVD, Eric.

Slipping Gently into the Night...

The survival of English toy theatre into the present age owes much to the enthusiasm and passion of George Speaight, who has died aged 91.

George Speaight left us on December 22, 2005. I encourage all enthusiasts to read this well-written obituary, a tribute to George by two other toy theatre enthusiasts...

Early Visual Media

An amazing website called Early Visual Media has come to my attention.

While it does not cover toy theatre per se, it does cover associated arts, and will likely be of interest to many toy theatre enthusiasts. I recommend it highly...

Homage to the Small Theatre

"J.B. Priestly wrote a play for the Toy Theatre and George Bernard Shaw wrote one for marionettes, while theatrical genius Gordon Craig wrote copiously in praise of the puppet..."

I discovered a website about a very special puppet theatre in the UK tonight. The shots of one performer manipulating a large marionette that in turn manipulates a smaller marionette is quite amazing to me!

Toy Theatre in Retail

Charming toys of old are presented in a toy theatre setting; click the picture below to see the show...

Toy Theatres Go to the Movies

All toy theatre enthusiasts are aware of the roots of toy theatre, i.e., theatres and plays for the small stage based on actual plays and real theatres. However, some may not know that at least one well-known film based on a play was specifically adapted for the toy theatre - Lawrence Oliver's Hamlet...

Toy Theatre Online Videos

There are two videos showing toy theatres online. One is a contemporary news item featuring Pollock's Toy Shop in Covent Garden with Peter Baldwin. The other is an early 20th century newsreel showing Mr. Pollock printing, cutting, and coloring toy theatres, as well as putting up a stage and demonstration. Off to the right is a woman assisting him - not sure if it is a family member, or perhaps M. Fawdry?

Influences

It is fun to see influences of toy theatre* in popular culture, such as this music video by the Dresden Dolls...



* Among other influences such as puppetry, cabaret, mime, etc.

Team Spirit

Show your "team spirit"; join the Toy Theatre Enthusiasts FRAPPR Group - a great way to network!

How to Build Your Own Toy Theater

There have been several questions brought up on toy theatre discussion groups lately on how to do this or that. Paul Weighall from the Pollock's Toy Museum in London gave me permission to post a great 'how-to' that he and Trevor Griffin co-wrote.

You can download the document here.

Webb Festival Highlights II

Gigi Sandberg's Toy Theatre Information Center has a new area documenting their experience at the recent Webb Festival.

All I can say is, I wish I could have been a mouse in the corner for many of the performances. To see what they have to contend with 'behind the scenes' just tires me out to think of it. Bravo to one and all...