Puppeteer

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A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object—a puppet—to create the illusion of life. A puppeteer can operate a puppet either by the use of strings, rods, wires or simply their own hands. Some puppet styles require puppeteers to work in teams to create a single character.

There are a broad range of styles of puppetry that require puppeteers. There are shadow puppets, rod puppets, Marrionettes, Table-top puppets, body puppets, Hand or glove puppets, etc. Whatever the style, the puppeteer's role is to use manipulate the physical object in such a manner that the audience believes the object is imbued with life.

Sergey Obraztsov, frequently cited as the father of artistic puppetry, was skilled in finger puppeteering and showing puppeteering with his bare hands. His famous number was a dancing couple whose complicated tango movements had to be manipulated by seven puppeteers simultaneously.

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European puppet origins

The roots of European puppetry grew from the commedia dell'arte tradition. Travelling performers who practiced this "low culture" art often performed in half-masks, or with puppets.

The strong Italian tradition of marionettes flourished in the 18th century, producing many skillful performances, including the tragedy Dr. Faust. Many of these marrionettes survive to this day, and allow students of the art to marvel at their highly defined controls.

In the 19th Century, the marionettes of the master Pietro Radillo became even more complex. Instead of just the rod and two strings, Radillo's marionettes are controlled by as many as eight strings. The control over the individual body parts of the marionettes was greatly increased.

Another grand tradition, growing from the 19th century, is that of the opera dei pupi. This form of puppetry, made popular in Sicily, used rod marionettes, operated from above by a combination of strings and metal rods. The subject matter drew from the medieval epics of the Charlemagne knights. These ongoing dramas unfolded over many performances.n

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Asian puppet origins

Puppetry flourished in China, originally in pi-ying xi, the "theater of the lantern shadows", or, as it is more commonly known today, as Chinese shadow theater. In Taiwan, budaixi is prevalent.

Japan has many forms of puppetry. Perhaps the most internationally famous is the Bunraku, where the puppets are operated by three puppeteers in full view of the audience.

India, Java, and Thailand also have a strong tradition of puppetry. In Thailand, Hun Krabok, rod-puppet theater, is the most popular form of puppetry. In Vietnam exists mua roi nuoc, a water puppetry unique to Vietnam. In Java, wayang kulit, a form of shadow puppetry, is popular.

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Modern puppetry

Two of the most famous modern puppeteers are Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Their work has entertained children for decades on the popular Sesame Street, and The Muppet Show television series. (The puppets used by these puppeteers are usually called Muppets).

Henson and Oz also frequently worked in film, including directing and puppeteer work in the 1982 film The Dark Crystal and the 1986 film Labyrinth. Oz is also well known for his work with the puppet of Yoda in the popular Star Wars movie series and as a director of movies such as the musical Little Shop of Horrors.

Another puppeteer is Gerry Anderson who used a puppet system called Supermarionation to a number of successful science fiction television shows like Thunderbirds.

A recent notable trend in puppetry has been seen in churches throughout the world. This Christian puppetry uses puppets of all kinds to capture the imaginations of children while teaching.

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Notable puppeteers

Image:Kevin clash with elmo.jpg

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Famous people who also were amateur puppeteers

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See also

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External links

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