New puppet: Rita the goat
This is Rita, a goat puppet I made recently for Merici College’s 50th Jubilee drama production, Dinkum Assorted by Linda Aronson, which will play at Belconnen Theatre on the 27th, 28th, 29th August. I became quite fond of her.
There’s a photoset of the making process in my portfolio at Flickr. Rita is made from plywood and polystyrene, and covered with fur fabric and panne velvet. Her mechs are simple, since it will be beginner puppeteers operating her: paired leg movement, and a neck which allows movement up and down as well as turning to either side. For the eyes I decided to use faceted glass beads because I remembered Neville Tranter saying he used them in all his puppets to bring the eyes to life.
Travel well, Rita!





She’s charming and adorable. Hope she didn’t eat your eyephone! Maybe you can get her back after the show?
lol, thanks. Usually I’m quite glad that I don’t get to keep all the things I make, it would just get so out of hand, but I did kind of ask about Rita’s fate. Apparently she is likely to go in the school hall of fame, so I guess that’s okay.
That’s a great looking goat! I’m sure the kids will love her
Thanks, Na!
Hi Hilary,
are you still in the business of puppet making?
I am doing a production of Dinkum Assorted in NZ and that Rita is charming.
Please contact me if you are interested in making a new Rita.
Thanks
Louise