
This week I had the pleasure to talk to John Roberts about his time in China and talk about the differences between the European upright marionette control and Chinese paddle control.
They have a huge number of strings which means they can have things like hands that can pick things up. Heres my attempt to make a pair of hands.
Below is a video of some in action - I found myself watching the puppeteers almost as much as the puppets.
their choreography is so tight - it's not often you get to see marionettists in action.
They have a huge number of strings which means they can have things like hands that can pick things up. Heres my attempt to make a pair of hands.
Below is a video of some in action - I found myself watching the puppeteers almost as much as the puppets.
their choreography is so tight - it's not often you get to see marionettists in action.
The Chinese marionette below is by John Roberts from puppet craft - my photos don't do it justice in anyway but it shows what they are like on the inside. I was a little suprised by how simple they construction methods were - rolled newspaper for arms - just cloth legs but the costumes and paint are so intricate and then you get to the stringing and discover that she is anything by simple.