1950-10-14 — Page 19

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1950.

PUPPET TALK

BIRTHPLACE of the puppets is this workshop. They are de signed and carved by Dorothy Zuconick, shown modelling

TRUE PUPPETEERS try to feel every emotion their wooden actors portray, which adds to reallsm. Puppet handlers must also serve as drivers, stagehands and repairmen.

ITTLE PINOCCHIO was in trouble, terrible trouble, nnd getting in deeper by

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twisted with a desperate desire to help.

A puppeteer walked on-stage and after discussing Pinocchio's plight with the boy-of-wood, asked the tense youngsters for advice. Their explosive replies would have delighted the many child psychologists who advocate the combination of education and fun. They consider a maximum of audience participation one of the better methods of teaching the difference between right and wrong, good behaviour and bad.

Allowing children actually to guide the hero on the path to righteousness, or talk back to the villain, is a device used extensively by Suzari Marionettes of New York. Their travelling troupes follow procedures adopted after years of research in juvenile behaviour patterns. Realising that small fry quickly project themselves into the character on stage, they let the youngsters express themselves,

PINOCCHIO`and his friend ask for aid in picking up"message" they feel coming through the air. At every crisis, children help in making decisions.

BY PUTTING her hands to her ears and wiggling her fingers, this little girl becomes an "antenna." She gets the advice, shouls it to Pinocchio

DELIGHTED audience reacts to incidents of drams, feeling it has helped bring about a happy end. ing. Travelling groups tour country, bringing to millions of children their first look at puppet shows.

A DJINNI appears in a puff of smoke before Aladdin, who has just rubbed the magic lamp. Six-foot human makes an ideal glant for puppets. By talking he adds to illusion that wooden actors are alive.

AN ALUMINIUM STAGE 20 feet long, 18 feet high, using modern lighting and sound equipment, a ant up for show. It takes troupe more than an hour to assemble stage, nearly aslong to take it down****