Session Two at Felixstowe Library

The library is a wonderful resource for stories and ideas for characters for shadow puppets.  Picture books for children contain beautiful illustrations that can be used to conjure a character into being.  We spent the first session exploring the wealth of material held within in the library and watched the first part of the stunning film 'The Adventures of Prince Achmed'.  This film was the first, feature-length, animated film in the history of cinema.  It was made by Lotte Reiniger, a pioneer in silhouette puppets, in Berlin between 1923 and 1926.  It is a truly magical film and well worth watching. We also made sketchbooks to work in and began to design characters.

The second session was spent in developing puppet ideas in sketchbooks and making then from black card.  Below are the beginnings of puppets and scenery.... and a completed puppet.

Owls .... S F

more owls ..... S F

and penguins: M P

Sketchbook Page: P. Bowman

Scenery Sketch : Colleen

Puppet Design: M N

A shadow puppet: 

Shadows and Seaside.

I am due to begin a six week course at Felixstowe Library.  The library is a wonderful light, airy spacious building with a fantastic cafe so that coffee and homemade cake is always on tap.  The sessions will be held in the Room at Top.  I am particularly looking forward to these sessions as we will be working with shadow puppets and puppetry is a real passion of mine.

Traditionally a shadow puppet is a two dimensional figure held against a translucent screen and lit from behind.  The audience, on the opposite side of the screen, watch the shadows created by the puppets. Shadow puppets have a long history throughout the world. Traditionally puppets were made from parchment or hide.  Contemporary puppets can made from card, plywood, acetate, found objects and even wire or metal.

During this course we will be making and designing puppets, exploring different materials, looking at creating stories and characters and experimenting with screens and performance.

A scene from 'The Blind Princess' by Juliet Lockhart