Tag Archives: shadow puppets

“My dear Watson, I can see from the tiny pieces of cardboard on your shirt cuff and the metal oxide staining on your left index finger and thumb that you are working on a new show……”

Posted on by Collette Knowles
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Before Christmas we started on putting together some puppets for a show trailer for a new Christmas show (for touring libraries, stately homes etc.). We hope to get the trailer finished very soon so we can advertise in time for Christmas 2024 (watch this space).

As to what it is about, I think I will invite you all to give your own educated guesses😉.

I also took it as an opportunity to have a bit of an experiment with the new Indonesian wayang kulit (shadow puppet) chisels. I am thinking that I am not likely to abandon using scalpel blades altogether but probably use a combination of chisels and scalpel. The chisels are certainly useful for creating certain types of cuts and shapes, (probably not faster though – but I had been warned). I have also yet to sort out suitable maintenance/sharpening tools for the chisels when I need them though I have been doing research on the best method and suppliers.

Do leave a comment or a question if you’d like to know more 😊.

Shadow Suitcase Shows at Norton Priory

Posted on by Collette Knowles
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Had a lovely time at Norton Priory a few months back for their “Discover Sundays” event.

I had never been there before and discovered that it is an amazing place hidden away behind a housing estate. If you have never been I would definitely recommend it.

Wonderful interactive displays that are great for kids and adults, (including a gigantic St. Christopher statue that appears to be speaking with the familiar booming voice of Brian Blessed).

I took my kids along (figuring that they could busy themselves exploring the museum and gardens with their Dad) while I did my shows and workshops.

However, I found my kids were taking the business of supporting Mummy very seriously and they trotted over to watch every single one of my performances and took part in the shadow puppet making workshop as well!

I performed my “Edward Lear’s Nonsense” shows in the Undercroft area which had wonderful acoustics and was unlike anywhere else I’d performed before (I suppose the closest might be Lancaster Castle or maybe Hall ‘ith Wood in Bolton).

We performed the “Jabberwocky!” show in the Undercroft and the Tudor garden as well and spent a bit of time exploring the grounds before we left.

All in all it was a lovely afternoon and we definitely intend to return at some point to check out all the things we missed.

If you would like to book one of our suitcase shows, a workshop or a different show CLICK HERE to get in touch 🙂 We are available for Light Festivals, Halloween, Christmas events etc.

You can find designs featuring puppets from “Jabberwocky!” and “Edward Lear’s Nonsense” in our new Rough Magic Theatre merch. shop. You can find gift bags and sweatshirts for Halloween or Christmas, plus lots of other great gift ideas, including dog bandanas, baby and maternity wear, teddies, mugs, cushions, stickers, badges, umbrellas etc. Plus for that extra special gift, you can personalise the items too! CLICK HERE to browse 🙂