Banality and Shades: Qualification and Suggested Roles of Puppet Figures

I see the puppet figures as a device to accentuate the ‘life’ of the outside world and to populate it with movement and dynamism. This is necessary to suggest at the active nature of the ‘memory space’ of Mr North. However this memory space is hazy and repetitive and must suggest at the qualities of memory that are provoked from photography. Considering this the puppets must not be used as narrative characters but as living embodiments of the photographic image, an image that it suggested at by the cut outs that populate the space. In comparison to the cut out which will remain frozen the puppets will still have a fading sense of light and three dimensions that is gradually merging into the photograph. It must be apparent that the puppets will eventually become like the cut outs. If it is understood that the puppets are not ‘alive’ and not yet strictly dead they should help to represent the transitory metaphysical space between memory and reality. (The reality in this respect being the physical photograph – or the reality of the theatrical event bridged by the direct address of the mistress of ceremonies: Magda.)

Puppet Conventions

• They will be lit faintly from inside which should give them a quality of shades. The top half of the bodies will be exposed metal. The figures themselves will not be costumed but the manipulators will wear elements of the puppet’s costume so the object and manipulator are not separate but combined to create the complete image of the character.
• The puppets will commit arbitrary actions of the boulevard, in this respect it is hoped they will represent the banality of everyday life, the photograph, and (as Barthes suggests) ‘death’.

• The actions will be repetitive and accompanied by a sound (see below)

• These actions will have a connection to the projected media of the photographic memories by hinting at an element of memory they provoke. For example, the young girl playing in the puddles will be performed at distance when the photograph of the mother in the winter garden is projected. In this respect the puppets will not become the characters in the photographs but a universal gesture provoked from them. The audience is then free to project meaning and make connections.

• The puppets movement and presence in the space must be active yet subtle.

Characters and suggested actions

Some are more fully realised than others. I intend to refine and discover during rehearsal.

The Spinsters

• One has the expression of a stern and grumpy stare, the other as a broad smile and closed eyes.

• Costume will consist of long Mac style rain jackets.

• They are spinsters who have found friendship in old age and live together.

• They come to the boulevard everyday at the same time (rain or shine) to feed the pigeons, which they have taken as a segregate flock to look after. In this respect they are very protective of the birds (If there is time a few simple pigeon puppets/cut outs would be ideal).

• The contrast of their facial expressions and personalities can make a playful tension between them.

• I can see them working with the photograph of the wedding, as they have never been married they could subtlety hint at lament? Regret? Or scorn?

• Sound: Pigeon call and 'tut'.

Laughing Father/ Puddle Jumper

• A young father in fits of laughter.

• His daughter jumping in Puddles.

• He will wear a hat; she will have a slightly more realised body for jumping.

• They can be playing a game together in the puddles and with the pigeons.

• The most active of the puppets representing the exuberance of youth both through the child and the joys of being a new dad.

• Lower/Middle Class

• They can be most active when the picture of winter garden is shown. They can also be used when the picture of the mother and young son is shown.

• Sound: Laughter and giggle.


The Dandy

• A young man with finely kept moustache and a cigarette.

• He is struggling on the rainy day to keep it lit and keep his hair and moustache in place

• The vanity of youth concerned at how he is perceived.

• Sound: Whiz whistle

The Nose

• Grumpy Middle Aged Businessman.

• Simply sat on a bench reading half a Newspaper.

• He represents the aching bitterness of being stuck in a repetitive and stressful job. Of realising in comparison to the life ahead of the young father and Dandy, of opportunities lost. Lamenting a wasted life thus far.

• Sound: Ratchet