Backstage Cat II

Images by Bill Reynolds
Whiskers is hanging out backstage again. He's very sleepy. He can't be bothered that it's time to change scenery...

For some reason I keep thinking of him as Godzilla Kitty when I see him against this miniature perspective!

Toy Theatre, Life-Sized

I love it! A traveling show that plays against a life-sized toy theatre!

Backstage Cat

This is Whiskers. He is a Maine Coon cat. His new favorite hangout is backstage in my toy theatre.

For some reason both the Wizard of Oz (who's behind the curtain?!) and Snagglepuss ("...exit, stage left!") pop into my head.

John Lennon and Toy Theatre

I've tried to find out more about this image, and what (if any) connection John Lennon had with toy theatre, but haven't been able to track anything down through research (yet...) But if you take a close look, he's got a lot of juvenile drama art on the walls around him. Intriguing...

Exhibit: Worlds in Miniature

A new toy theatre exhibit is coming up this July on the west coast of America...

Toy Theatres: Worlds in Miniature is an exhibit being presented by the Museum of Performance & Design in San Francisco. Right now the website only hints at the exhibition, but more details will be forthcoming in the near future. For now, it's being described as featuring "...21 rare models from seven countries, dating from the 18th century to the present."


April 19, 2010 ADDENDUM: I have found more images here of toy theatres presented by MPD...

Dramatis Personae Catalogue 97

The newest Dramatis Personae catalogue (the premiere source for all things vintage entertainment ephemera, in my humble opinion) is now out - see it here...

Curiouser and Curiouser

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?" Alice in Wonderland

I got a missive from Louise, of Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop today, who had this to say...

Pollock's has been hunting out nonsense for an Alice extravaganza - look online and come in the shop for our selection of toys for children and adult collectors. Pop-up Books, colouring books, sticker books, illustrated books - playing cards, miniatures and hand painted marionettes.

Lewis Carroll was a lover of the Victorian theatre, marionettes and juvenile drama and a Pollock's toy theatre has featured in dramatisations of his most famous story. Pop in and explore our curious world of nonsense. (Even Tim Burton's been in...)

Although I have never been able to visit (yet), I have seen glimpses of it online. Such places are magical and rare. Pollock's is not only a national treasure for England, but (in my humble opinion) an international treasure. Sounds like they're have quite a lot of fun surrounding the renewed interest in Alice due to the new film. Good for them!

The World is Flat

If you'll be in Chicago this weekend, be sure and check out The World is Flat! A Weekend of Toy Theatre...

Sighting: Lark Rise

Seen last week in S03E04 of LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD, this toy theatre was shown in the bedroom of the character of a small boy who was very ill...

Toy Theatre Adaptions

I discovered a blog whose creator has been EXTREMELY talented in creating adaptions of famous literary works, for the toy theatre...simply marvelous!

Panto

In the spirit of Christmas, I offer this link to a video of a 2002 production of Dick Whittington.

Now I fully admit as an American I was totally ignorant of this until recently, but was delighted to watch it. What fun!

Corsican Brothers DVD Reviews

During the recent Thanksgiving holidays in the States, I received the Corsican Brothers DVD in the post. I have finally found the time to view it, and I must say, it was a thrill for this toy theatre novice! It was one of the first toy theatre productions she has ever seen in full, and although nontraditional in presentation (not 'live', etc.), it was a real treat for me.

What are others saying about this particular production? Read on!

...just received my copy of the DVD and although I was concerned about it playing here in Texas, it did, and I might add beautifully. One should also note that this is the full toy theatre script not the cut down version put out by Pollock's in 1974. The extras are great. All together a great job Nigel and well worth the wait.

...If there is anyone in the group who has not seen Nigel Peever's DVD of The Corsican Brothers, run to eBay and buy your copy. I just bought a second one for a Xmas gift. It is that good! A must. Kudos to Nigel and to Peter Baldwin for the excellent intro.

...The Corsican Brothers DVD arrived yesterday. I have watched it tonight and must congratulate you on a very professional production. Walter Elias Disney would have been proud to put his name to such an exciting production. I cannot believe you have only sold eleven copies of this unique DVD; actually you have now sold twelve copies as I have just purchased my second copy. This DVD deserves to reach a much wider audience, not just Toy Theatre enthusiasts.

Short History of Toy Theatre

Aladdin Christmas Production

Louise from Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop in London has written to say that " our Christmas performance of Aladdin is being performed by Joe Gladwin."

Anyone who can get to London to see this performance, I highly encourage them to do so. If any reader makes it to there, I'd love to hear all about it!

Corsian Brothers DVD is Released!

The Corsican Brothers DVD is now out and available on EBay! Rejoice all toy theatre fans (especially those of us who have never seen a live performance and are starved for any kind of recording of one...well, this isn't exactly 'live', but it's the next best thing in my humble opinion.)

Nigel Peevers is the genius behind this production. Nigel is one talented fellow, who is an actor among other talents. Where he finds the time to do all this, I'll never know, but we are the beneficiaries of his toil. Bless you, Nigel...

NEW Dramatis Personae Catalogue!

There is a new Dramatis Personae catalogue out as of today. As per usual, the Dramatis Personae Booksellers have truly outdone themselves. I don't know what their secret is, but they are able to collect the most astounding array of Theatre/Entertainment ephemera I have ever seen, and present them to the world at large to buy and enjoy. I highly recommend you check them out!

Out of the Shadows: Janaki Ranpura

An amazing performer, check out this website about puppeteer Janaki Ranpura...

Little Blue Moon Theatre

I was doing an internet search for my friends, George and Ann Neff, and came across your blog on toy theatre, then followed to your Victorian Sex Machine blog. It seemed like you might be interested in our work, which kind of combines both (in some way.) We do erotic toy theatre. Our company, Little Blue Moon Theatre, began in an aphrodisiac factory 6 or so years ago. I have found that the static nature of toy theatre figures make them perfect candidates for bondage, something I didn't realize until a friend pointed out that most of our shows involve bondage...I realized that they don't move anyway, which makes it perfect for them.

Anyway, just thought you might enjoy looking at our site, since we don't ever seem to get to Fargo.

Best to you,

Michael & Valerie Nelson
Magical Moonshine Theatre

Paper Dolls

Ilisha Helfman from Hestia House wrote to share...

Hi Trish,

I wanted to let you know about my paper doll blog where I'm having great fun pretending to be a contestant on "Project Runway" using each week's "NY Times Magazine" cover as my challenge. I have twelve new paper dolls and have chosen one to be me, one to be my model and the rest to be other designers and audience members.

Pollock's Toyshop Website

The Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop website has been updated with a new and much improved look as well as new features. Be sure and check them out!

Stereographica Sale

Antique Photographica is having another of its periodic sales of all things photographic and optical, including some amazing optical toys such as the panorama above. Be sure and check the sale out - it's well worth it!

Swazzle Story

Recently I was contacted by Cindi Zuby about obtaining permission to use some photos I had taken of Luman Coad for posters of a festival taking place this next week in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

She had a fun story to share about when she was over in the UK and visiting with the Punch professor, Robert Styles...

I have to tell you a wonderful moment we had in London with Robert Styles (only true Punch people will get this...) He was telling us about his show that was his "audition" for being accepted as a Punchman. In the middle of the show, as he dropped Judy, he accidentally spit out his swazzle. He said there was a large amount of ad-libbing until he could reach down, pick up the now dirty and gritty swazzle and get it back in his mouth. His version is more hilarious than mine, but it made me wonder --- as all three of us were laughing hysterically in our beers --- who in the world would laugh at the phrase "...and I spit out my swazzle...", let alone know what the hell anyone was talking about!

For funny!

Corsican Brother's Update

So, you might ask, what's the latest on the Corsican Brothers production by Nigel Peever? Well wonder no more - here's a brief update from Nigel himself, via the Toy Theatre list:

I had a very pleasant afternoon with Peter Baldwin at his home yesterday recording the introduction for The Corsican Brothers, He's also very kindly recorded the judge's voice which is easy to replace in the film. Peter has also let me take photographs of the original stage productions poster to include and other goodies, like photocopying the ghost melody music etc so a cracking day.

He went on to explain he's been very busy professionally (he is an actor) so he's had to wedge in his labor of love when time permits. He has many fans (including myself) avidly awaiting the final results!

Zoya Holds Court

I posted here recently about some amazing puppets created by Brian Flavin, based on characters created by a friend of mine, Vanesa. Her ultimate goal was to recreate them all in life-size versions.

Well this week she added another life-size version to her growing collection, for the character of Zoya. As with the others, Zoya is rather special, having not just eyes and mouth, ears and hair, even hands and feet complete with nails, but also detailed (and functional) genitalia.¹

Full Credits

Conceptual Design: Vanesa Littlecrow Wojtanowicz and Gypsy-Maria Lorimer
Construction and Technical Design: Brian Flavin

The saga of their construction from the very beginning can be seen here.

¹ -I have no idea how or if that will enter into any performance, but I'd love to find out sometime...!

Dramatis Personae: Catalogue 101

A complete set, eight sheets, of “Hodgson’s Characters in the Infernal Secret.” [London]: Hodgson & Co., 1822. Original hand coloring; light toning to edges; nicks to corners and edges, away from images; bright. [$400] One of the less common sets of Hodgson figures, with four shrouded inquisitors and the three sheets of scenarios (a pair to each).

So goes the description on Item #76, in the current Dramatis Personae catalogue, just announced today...

Opera in 10 Minutes

Festival Review

A German review (translated here) of the recent toy theatre festival in the Netherlands...

Puppet Avant Garde

I spent this past week visiting an amazing friend in the wilderness of Minnesota. It's so far off the beaten path, that they are not on Google maps, and it's on purpose. They live in a dome house by their own design, he farms¹, she does...well, just about everything. She is a multidisciplinary artist. Trust me, this woman works hard. She's the hardest workin' woman in show business, at least that's my opinion. Anyways, she's damned talented, that's for sure.

I know those of you out there that come here for toy theatre are starting to think, what is this post about?! Well, it's about puppets, that's what. My friend among many, many other things is an comic and cartoon artist. She got it into her head awhile back to bring her creations to life, so to speak, and began a journey of recreating them off the page in puppet form. The photos here show their genesis, from small crude handmade versions, to less crude (but still - purposely - crude-but-improved) versions. Eventually, she made them into large, full-scale versions. Not only are they large scale, but they are detailed down to anatomically-correct genitalia. Yeah, you read right. Also, nipples, piercings, tattoos, fingernails, tongues, teeth, eyelashes...the details are mindboggling and impressive. And yeah, there are damned good reasons for this. If you take the time to not only check out, but delve further into the world of these characters, you'll see why they are made this way. My friend's stories are violent, sexual, disturbing. They are not cute in a Disney sense (although there can be cute moments of a type), but they are not supposed to be. To paraphrase her, she exorcises her demons through her art and writing in these characters and storylines. Those of us lucky enough to run across these stories are invited to come into her looking-glass world if we dare. I hope you do...I dare ya.

Their stories are at Rasputin Catamite, Polska Sucka, Killer Dyke, and Upir's Mark...

¹ - He is also an artist, in his spare time!

Toy Theatre Evolution

Change. It's a good thing.

At least that's my personal opinion. It makes life interesting, challenges us.

Toy theatre is currently undergoing a huge revival as well as evolution. One such recent example (albeit only one among many) was Sandow Birk's animated film adaption of Dante's Inferno.

Another is the currently-in-production of the classic The Corsican Brothers. The man behind it all is Nigel Peever, who among his many talents includes being an actor. How he finds the time for all this is beyond me, but we can be thankful he does, because I can tell it will be an amazing piece of entertainment when complete. I'm excited already just from seeing his trailer.

I'll definitely keep readers appraised. Stay tuned...

Three Days in May

Catch the highlights of the recent festival here...

Wow, there was even a toy theatre adaption of my all-time favorite comic saga, Krazy Kat & Ignatz Mouse!

A Follower Shares

One of the followers of this blog popped up to share her recent project incorporating elements of toy theatre. Quite colorful, creative, and fun!

Corsican Brothers Poster

This is the poster for the soon-to-be-released toy theatre production (on video) of the classic Corsican Brothers.

Produced by Nigel Peever, who is a veritable one-man production company using 21st century computer technology for an 18th century medium. But hey, I'm all for it. Anything that can spread the word about how amazing toy theatre can be (in its myriad of styles, this being just one) is a good thing in my book!

2nd International Toy Theatre Festival

It's just about here!

Heart of Beast May Day

A regional puppet group puts on an annual May Day event...

Trailer: The Corsican Brothers

An amazing trailer for a production of The Corsican Brothers, by Nigel Peever.

Nigel had this to say about making it...

For the last three months or more my two poor computers have been rendering night and day and I'm finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With twenty-seven and a half minutes "in the can" so far, most of the voices and sound effects all ready to go, and all manner of test edits made while I'm waiting for the darn thing to render, The Corsican Brothers- The Movie is almost complete, so I've knocked together a little trailer at youtube do please drop by and have a look and let me know what ya think.

It's a very 21st century toy theatre production but I've tried to be as faithful as was possible but also taking advantage of the fact that I don't have to use metal slides so the characters can roam freely around the stage (I managed to resist the temptation to make Boissec actually swing his axe) The camera too can be quite mobile.

Bravo!

Camera Obscura

Childhood Memories

A British artist, living in France, had this to say recently on his blog...

From working on the stage set recently, reminded me of Pollock's Toy Museum in London's East End.

As a young teenager in the 1950's I visited this toyshop many times and have very fond memories of its narrow stairs and tiny rooms, stuffed with wonderful toys - especially penny-plain and twopenny-coloured toy theatres.

It was here that I re-discovered my passion for the theatre. I bought the Adelphi Theatre, built it and acted out plays of my own devising.

The Museum is still there (just!) and can be found at the corner of Whitfield and Scala Street, off the Euston Road. Nearest tube station is Goodge Street.

Interview with Spanish Collector Lucía Contreras

In my house, there was always a toy theater of my father Damian, who is 85 years old. His sister and he invented many stories with this toy during the Spanish Civil War. Miraculously, this toy survived through those terrible years and also survived to my older brothers and me.

From a new interview of Lucía Contreras, who has been featured here before...

In Memoriam: Gigi

An online memorial has been set up by friends of Gigi Sandberg, who recently passed on.

Gigi was a mentor to me, as she was to so many. Until I read the details of her life on this memorial page, I had no idea how full and rich a life she led. Truly an amazing person...

Gigi, R.I.P.

From Glen Sandberg comes this news tonight...

Our memories live with the goodness and grace she has left in her wake!


Georgene (Schreiner)(Marshall)(Raymond) Sandberg passed away last night at about 10:30 pm.

She lived her active life to the very end, thanks to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy for almost ten years after first diagnosis of metastatic cancer. The terminal stage was brief and painless. She died in her sleep after two very active days, a week short of age 83.

We all knew her in the context of her many different interests so I won't try to list them all.

R.I.P., Gigi...

New Dramatis Personae Catalogue

The new Dramatis Personae catalogue online. This catalogue has some of the most unique and special ephemera you could find anywhere, including many relating to toy theatre. I highly recommend that you check them out...

A Scrapbook Theatre

A scrapbooker does a collage toy theatre...

Media Archeology

Fairground Organ Music at the Continental Superstar exhibition in Brussels...

- From Early Visual Media Archeology

Macbeth Character Figure

I came across this rather nice Macbeth figure on Wikipedia of all places.

One never knows where toy theatre may pop up!

Ad Incorporates Toy Theatre

"All the essential morals..."

Meanwhile the philosophy of toy theatres is worth any one's consideration. All the essential morals which modern men need to learn could be deduced from this toy. Artistically considered, it reminds us of the main principle of art, the principle which is in most danger of being forgotten in our time. I mean the fact that art consists of limitation; the fact that art is limitation. Art does not consist in expanding things. Art consists of cutting things down, as I cut down with a pair of scissors my very ugly figures of St. George and the Dragon. Plato, who liked definite ideas, would like my cardboard dragon; for though the creature has few other artistic merits he is at least dragonish. The modern philosopher, who likes infinity, is quite welcome to a sheet of the plain cardboard. The most artistic thing about the theatrical art is the fact that the spectator looks at the whole thing through a window. This is true even of theatres inferior to my own; even at the Court Theatre or His Majesty's you are looking through a window; an unusually large window. But the advantage of the small theatre exactly is that you are looking through a small window. Has not every one noticed how sweet and startling any landscape looks when seen through an arch? This strong, square shape, this shutting off of everything else is not only an assistance to beauty; it is the essential of beauty. The most beautiful part of every picture is the frame.

This especially is true of the toy theatre; that, by reducing the scale of events it can introduce much larger events. Because it is small it could easily represent the earthquake in Jamaica. Because it is small it could easily represent the Day of Judgment. Exactly in so far as it is limited, so far it could play easily with falling cities or with falling stars. Meanwhile the big theatres are obliged to be economical because they are big. When we have understood this fact we shall have understood something of the reason why the world has always been first inspired by small nationalities. The vast Greek philosophy could fit easier into the small city of Athens than into the immense Empire of Persia. In the narrow streets of Florence Dante felt that there was room for Purgatory and Heaven and Hell. He would have been stifled by the British Empire. Great empires are necessarily prosaic; for it is beyond human power to act a great poem upon so great a scale. You can only represent very big ideas in very small spaces. My toy theatre is as philosophical as the drama of Athens.

- G.K. Chesterton

One of These Days...

...I'll finally put on a real toy theatre production...hopefully Sweeney Todd!

George & Ann Neff

I recently heard from George & Ann Neff, two individuals very active in toy theatre and other associated endeavors...

We do the "other" puppets, too. The winter and spring were spent coming up with a new script and puppets for our faux Sicilian rod marionette presentation. And we have also been developing a circus hand puppet show for outdoor fairs and such. Our last circus booking was on July 22, and we needed a rest and to get caught up somewhat on house and yard tasks.

And now we have agreement to do Stephen Langdale's Nativity at our Episcopal church for a Service of Lessons and Carols the Sunday before Christmas. Jon Bankert constructed and used to perform that play. And we hope to go to Holland this coming May. So we are back in toy theatre exclusively at the moment.

Oh, and in February, we also did a 2 week residency over a month with a nearby Quaker school. The entire third grade class researched, designed, created and performed a hand puppet show on "The Underground Railroad". That was rewarding! We did offer a toy theatre workshop at their summer camp, but it did not get enrollees.

Sounds like they've been quite busy. It's folks like the Neffs that carry the torch and help expose new generations to the wonders of puppetry, particularly toy theatre...

Fraggle Rock: Behind the scenes

Thanks to Puppet Buzz, here are amazing 'behind-the-scenes' vids about one of my all-time favorite shows, Fraggle Rock!

Cabaret of Desire

If you are lucky enough to be in Chicago this week, there is an amazing show being presented there at the DCA Theater...

Sale Featuring Toy Theatre

It is time once again for the semi-quarterly catalogue from Dramatis Personae. As always, there are many toy theatre related items up for sale...

Pollocks Website is Back!

Paul Weighell recently informed me that the Pollocks history website I maintain appeared to be gone. Alarmed, I confirmed Paul's discovery.

I am happy to say it was only a technical glitch, and it is now back for those of you who have may have wondered. To others who have not checked it out, it is the companion site to this blog, with lots of interesting bits of history surrounding toy theatre, and Benjamin Pollock's role in it, in particular...including lots of great photos! Be sure and check it out...

Toy Theatre in Film: Thief of Baghdad

Black Sheep Puppet Festival

Starting today, the Black Sheep Puppet Festival in Pittsburgh. Sounds like a wonderful variety of puppetry, including toy theatre pieces by Clare Dolan, Rose Clancy, and Debbie Bobeck!

Be sure and check it out...