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

Giant space squid puppet

This is the giant space squid puppet made for Puss in Boots at the Georgian Theatre Royal.

It had to pack down as flat as possible and rise up from the pit to its full size.

There were also two roach poles that extended out attached to two 5m long tentacles that could reach out into the boxes.

This is the original design sketch for the puppet, I changed it a little due to the materials used to make it, so it had more of a space robot look to it.

Puppet swans for 'Stick Man'

I made these two hand puppet swans for Jagrops, for the show 'Stick Man' designed by Katie Sykes.

They are constructed from plastizote, fleece, plastic, lycra, felt, cotton and buttons for eyes.

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.

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!