Peepshow - Jack in the box

We are currently working on a new show for the peepshow box. 

It is called 'Jack in the box ' a traditional Georgian style pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk...in the box.

I've made some stick puppets, creating smaller versions of the puppets I made for the first show. The idea is that all the puppets are to look like Tony, who plays the Raree man.

Here is the giant's beard and beanstalk.

Watch it grow:

Tony is currently performing with the Peepshow up at the Georgian Theatre Royal

Peepshow model theatre

Finished the peepshow box model auditorium

Total of 500 seats!

Peepshow auditorium model

Last week I worked on the inside of the Peepshow box that I designed last year. For the design of the auditorium I combined elements of the Bristol Old Vic and The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond.

The Peepshow opens!

The Peepshow opened in September, these pictures are from Tony performing the Raree Man in Saltaire.

Finished puppets

Peepshow

This week I am finishing off the props for the peepshow, including painting the barrel organ and making the costumes for the puppets.

Peepshow cart is nearly finished!

The Raree Man Peepshow cart is almost finished, I've painted all the text on the cart and finished all the signage, even the Royal peep is ready!

It's now in Dawlish ready for the rehearsals.

'The Raree Man' Peepshow props

I'm currently working my way through the vast list of props for the Peepshow. 

I adapted a new foot pump with some laser cut wood, varnish, paint and spraying.

The bell is also adapted form a recent antiques fair find.

The 'Raree man' Puppets

I am making two marionettes for a puppet scene in the 'Raree man' peepshow.

I had an existing head that I thought would be great for the puppets so used that to create a mould for two new heads.

Tony Lidington, plays both the devil and the Raree man, as well as all the other characters in the show. The puppets also reflect this, by being the same puppet but dressed differently as the two characters. 

I cast the original head using silicone rubber, then made a plaster outer to hold the mould securely. I cast the heads in fast cast, and painted with a range of materials, including a crackle finish to age them.

Next I will tackle the bodies, which will be a lot less work!

Tony happens to look very similar to the original Pelham puppet!

Peepshow R and D session

Last weekend the 'Raree Man' Peepshow team met for a two day R and D.

I made a mock up of the Peepshow box for us to work with and we tested out projection, puppetry, foot pump balloon inflating and lots of other mechanics and elements from the show.