Ronnie Burkett’s Paper Mache Recipes and other things

Posted by hil

Having seen Ronnie Burkett‘s amazing Tinka’s New Dress in its last season at the Melbourne Festival in 2002, and heard him speak so inspiringly at the Puppetry Summit there at the same time, I was interested to see Burkett’s article on paper mache (via Puppetry News and Views).

The article talks about recipes for making one’s own paper mache pulp, and the various situations they are useful for, but Burkett also says that much of the time he now uses a commercial papier mache pulp called Celluclay. I thought it would be ideal for a court jester’s marrotte that I was making, but its hard to come by here, so I tried Mix-It, which is made in Victoria. When I tried an instant paper pulp before many years ago, it was quite lumpy, but this mix turned out to be nice and smooth to work, and dried really hard and white.

Marrotte
The head was sculpted over a wood and polystyrene base, so that the layer of paper mache is relatively thin, which has the advantage of taking less time to dry, and being economical. It’s also non-toxic and takes paint and finishes of all kinds.I did like reading that Burkett also suffers from impatience waiting for casts to be ready and things to dry.
Marrotte

I don’t see no lettuce!

Posted by hil

Last week my son and I cracked up when we happened across a video clip of Bud Light’s Real Men of Genius: Mr Giant Taco Salad Inventor (‘I don’t see no lettuce!’).

I had no idea it was part of a series of Bud Light commercials but yesterday my friend Amy serendipitously blogged about a collection of them. I just love them! (2015 updated link)

Dave Riley’s Mask Studio tutorials

Posted by hil

Dave Riley is a mask-maker, puppeteer and playwright based in Brisbane. His Mask Studio tutorials have been of great help to me a number of times – thanks Dave! There are two mask tutorials:

The felt method is really interesting. It involves soaking the felt in white glue and then moulding it to shape rather like working leather. There are then different finishes to experiment with, including paint, and leather gloss and polish. The result is a very light strong mask.

A few years ago when I first tried it and made a series of animal masks, I built on a paper mache base because I wasn’t sure it would be strong enough otherwise, but recently in making some smaller masks for Hidden Corners’ ‘See Beneath’, I was more confident in using the felt by itself, with a muslin/white glue backing to make the inside comfortable and strong.

Masks before painting

 

The seaweed fronds had a little extra strengthening, just because the shape was not intrinsically strong like the shell. The fishy mask was done a little differently, without felt because I wanted finer detail. It is carved quite thinly out of styrofoam, and has several layers of muslin and white glue to give it strength.

Masks

 

These have a water-based polymer gloss varnish added to the paint, which kind of plasticizes them.

Month of Softies: June bug

Posted by hil

You know you are either going loopy, or your new creation has charm, or possibly both, when you find yourself taking it from room to room with you around the house, or with you in the car while driving errands. Especially when its a computer bug. And we won’t mention talking to it.

There are a few other images below. This bug was made for loobylu’s June Month of Softies. My thanks once again, Claire.

Two new recycled creatures

Posted by hil

After making a couple of recycled creatures a few months ago, I’ve become a bit obsessed with the idea, and have been haunting the local op shops and trash and treasure markets, looking for suitably interesting bags and belts. I’ve now got far more than I have had time to make up! One side effect of this obsession is eyeing-off bags that people are carrying in shops and on the street.

Gary Friedman is blogging!

Posted by hil

Gary Friedman has lauched his blog Puppetry News and Views. Gary has a real passion for puppetry, and an absolute wealth of experience and resources in the field, so be sure to check in with him often.

Unima 2008 website launched

Posted by hil

In 2008, Perth WA will host the 20th UNIMA Congress, Conference and International Puppetry Festival. A new website for the 20th Unima World Congress has just been launched, and over coming months it will be the focal point for new information about the development of this wonderful event.

Updated 2015: broken links

 

Hidden Corners Theatre: See Beneath

Posted by hil

The bunraku-style puppets I was working on are for production called ‘See Beneath’, being presented by Hidden Corners Theatre, Canberra’s award-winning theatre company of young carers. This is how the puppets turned out:

Sea Captain

 

‘See Beneath’ is a play by and about young people dealing with disability in their families, directed by Robin Davidson and barb barnett, with the assistance of Max Barker. Its written by Rebecca Meston and the cast of Hidden Corners, and plays in Melbourne and Canberra during July. Here are season details:Melbourne: Theatreworks, 14 Acland St, St. Kilda.

13 – 16 July, Wed – Sat @ 7.30pm; Sat matinee @ 2pmCanberra: The Street Theatre Studio, Childers St, Civic
21 – 23 July, Thurs – Sat @ 7.30pm; Sat matinee @ 2pm

Tickets are $8 concession, $14 full.

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre: The Velveteen Rabbit

Posted by hil

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre in Perth, WA, is presenting ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ in June and July.

‘An enchanting story where anything is possible if you invest it with enough belief and love. Based on the classic children’s story by Marjory Williams, (and adapted by Greg Lissaman) the velveteen rabbit is the much cherished toy of a young boy. To his family it was merely a plush toy, in amongst many, but the boy (and the rabbit) knew he was real. Was it just imagination or can the bond of love make something real?’

Dates and times are available here.

I caught an interview about the production with Philip Mitchell, the Artistic Director of Spare Parts, on the ABC program Life Matters last week. You can still listen to it by following the audio link for June 7th here. (links no longer available)