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