Large Stage Puppets

[BackPorchPuppet]

Hello all! Fantastic forum you all have here, finally had a need to post. So here I go.

My college is doing a production of Fuente Ovejuma, a fantastic piece about Tyranny and all that jazz. I was asked to make two puppets, a king and queen. The director is looking for these two puppets that are essentially going to be, well I suppose I can best explain it like a scarecrow. Large bodies, with flowing gowns that the puppeteers can hid under, that extend 3 or 4 feet past the height of the puppeteer in side. With large movable arms, and a face with an active jaw to make it speak.

Was curious as to what you guys thought, input or ideas. I think I know what Im going to do, but if you folks have any examples or tips, I'd happily accept.

Much love,
BPP

 

[Buck-Beaver]

You might want to search YouTube for "Kasou Taishou". The videos from that show are all large-scale puppets and may give you some good ideas.

 

[BackPorchPuppet]

Thank you sir. Big fan of your work. Much appreciated.

 

[SesameKermie]

Just off the top of my head I would think of a giant rod puppet--A rod with a trigger mechanism for the jaw/head assembly, and then long broomstick-like poles attached to the hands.

 

[MGov]

Take a look at this production of "Merry Wives of Windsor" at the Cal Shakes Festival:

http://www.calshakes.org/v4/06shows/mww/merry_wives.mov

It's a Quicktime They built a big puppet for Falstaff.

 

[puck]

I agree with sesamekermie

Depending on the complexity and style of what they want you could also use a more Muppet style moving mouth attached to draping fabric, or a more complex head of paper-mache or casting in a product like neoprene. Mouth wise here is a neat site for a simple mouth mechanism
http://www.alstevens.com/ventriloquism/fred.html

Also I remember seeing a king and queen in this style that had been made by Bart Roccoberton but I can't seem to find an image online.

 

[BackPorchPuppet]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help.

Great leads you guys are giving me. This is helping alot.