1950-10-14 — Page 3

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1950.

PUPPET TALK

BIRTHPLACE of the puppets in this workshop. They are de- aigned and carved by Dorothy Zaconick, shown modelling.

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

ITTLE PINOCCI10 was in trouble, terrible trouble, and getting in deeper by

LITTLE Was a territ tr is the audience twitched mad

twisted with a desperate desire to help.

A puppeteer walked on-stage and alter discussing Pinocchio's plight with the boy-of-wood, asked the tense youngsters for advice. Their explosivo 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,

DELIGHTED audience reacia do incidents of drama, 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 ¤ puff of smoke before Aladdin, who has just rubbed the magle lamp. Six-foot human makes on idcal glant for puppets. By talking ho adds to illusion that wooden actors are alive.

PINOCCHIO and his friend ask for old in picking up messago" they feel. BY PUTTING her hands to her ears and wiggling her fingers, this little coming through the air At every crisis, children help in making decisions, stiri becomes an "antenna." She gets the advice, shouts it to Pinocchio.

AN ALUMINIUM STAGE 20 feet long, 13 feat high, using modern lighting and sound equipm set up for show. It takes troupe more than an hour to assemble stage, nearly as long to take it down,