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Hand puppetry

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Hand puppetry

Hi people,

can anyone remember a link that may or may not have been posted on these forums a while back about some great hand puppetry? I just remember it was staged very simply (punch and judy stylee) and the guy created some just fabulous character work with just his hands (with i think little faces drawn on his finger nails/end of his fingers??).

I know its vague and i'm sorry but any ideas on where i can find this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Gav.

Hand Puppets

I'm new to this forum so I don't remember the post you are talking about, but since no one has answered your question I thought that I'd take a crack at it.
There are two websites that come to my mind featuring "hand" puppets. One is Hobey Fords Peeper Puppets at http://www.peeperspuppet.com/ & the other is Boa Bugs at http://boabug.htmlplanet.com/

Sorry If this isn't helpful. Good Luck!

Scarlett:)
Founder of Myriad of Marionettes
Puppetry Resource Website

Hey Scarlett, (welcome aboard from another newbie)
You wouldn't by chance have any information on Prague, would you? Home of the great Svankmeyer. I'm going in November and will be checking out their Marionette Museum (maybe catch a marionette opera). Any recommendations? Info? Websites?

I have to tell you I’ve never been there, but if I could go anywhere it’d be Prague! I originally became interested in Prague because I am such an admirer of Czech. Marionettes, but there is so much more to this city than just puppetry. I am hoping to take a vacation there in a few years. So I’ll recommend to you the places that I plan to go.

My first site seeing stop would be the Old Town Square. You didn’t say when in Nov. you would be there, but November 25th marks the start of Prague’s Christmas Markets (the two biggest are in Old Town Square & in beautiful Wenceslas Square). At the Old Town Square a giant Christmas tree aluminates the market, and traditional Czech Christmas carols and dances are preformed while vendors sell all kinds of Christmas goodies. While in the Old Town Square I would stop and see the Orloj. This is the astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall Tower. Get there on the hour to see the procession of the twelve Apostles. There are also tours available to the top of the tower which allows you to see the inner workings of the clock as the procession happens, that’s very interesting (I’m pretty sure they only offer tour from 11am to 5 pm during Nov.).

Next I would catch a show at the National Marionette Theater. It’s located at Zalecka 1 and almost daily at 8pm they present Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” marionette opera. The performance is presented in Italian and lasts about two hours. Although you may not speak Czech. or Italian I hear that their shows are still a must see! Then I would visit a Marionette Museum. There is one located at Karlova 12 and is open daily from 11am to 8 pm. There may be 2 or more marionette museums in Prague, I’m not sure.

I would also see Prague Castle which is the largest medieval castles in Europe and consists of a monastery, palaces, museums, galleries, viewing towers, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane. I would purchase a combined ticket to have access to the entire complex because you don’t want to miss seeing Golden Lane. Golden Lane is a small street lined with beautiful historic houses that now serve as mini museums & souvenir shops. Also don’t miss the changing of the guard at the front gate. This takes place every hour, but at noon there is a special ceremony. The Castle is located at Hradcany 1 and is open from 9am to 11pm in Nov.

I’d finish off the trip with some marionette shopping. Here is a tip if you don’t speak Czech “Marionety Obchod” means marionette shop. I’ve heard that there is a very nice marionette shop at 47 Nerudora. Also I’d want to visit the studio of Czech marionette Master-Crafter Lenka Pavlíčková which I believe is located at Zoubkova 1208/6 150 00 Praha-Smíchov.

Some else odd... Prague has a Museum of Torture! Pretty wierd, here's a link http://www.heartofeurope.cz/museum_6.html

Have a great Trip!

P.S. Christmas Market is open from 9am to 7pm. If you’re traveling with kids they might enjoy the petting zoo at the market in Old Town Square. I’d get there just before sunset to see the Orloj & then stay till after dark to see all the Christmas lights of the market.

http://www.discoverczech.com/prague/index.php4 (Prague Travel info)
http://www.prague-info.cz/a/culture/cult_menu.html (Prague Travel info)
http://www.pragueexperience.com/events/highlights/christmas_markets.asp
http://www.prague.net/astronomical-clock (Orloj)
http://www.mozart.cz/index.htm (National Marionette Theater)
http://www.puppetart.com/ (Marionette Museum)
http://www.prague.net/gallery/prague-castle/ (Prague Castle)
http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=964 (Golden Lane)
http://www.marionettes.cz/intro.htm (Marionette Shop)
http://www.marionety.cz/ (Lenka Pavlíčková's Studio)

thank you thank you thank you!

That's exactly what I was looking for - and more!

Yes, I will be there through November 26, so I'll get to see the Christmas Market! That's so cool, completely unplanned! A little bit of luck goes a long way.

Hopefully you'll get over there one day, it's one of the most beautiful and affordable European cities around. No kids this time (it's going to be a REAL vacation) and the only downside is my husband doesn't like marionettes - they freak him out actually. I love them - so while I'm off doing my thing he'll be in some ratskeller sampling lager.

The only thing I'll pass on your itinerary is the Torture Museum. I did one in Amsterdam 20 years ago and it haunts me to this day.

Thanks again.